■; 

FROM   THE  LIBRARY  OF 


REV.   LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON.  D.  D. 


BEQUEATHED   BY   HIM   TO 

THE   LIBRARY  OF 

PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


*w^W-  km} 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

Princeton  Theological  Seminary  Library 


http://archive.org/details/lutherOOpick 


LUTHER 


V 


FEB    7  1933 


A    HYMNIST, 


REV.  BERNHARD  PICK. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

LUTHERAN    BOOK    STORE. 

18  7  5. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1875 

By  G.  W.  FREDERICK, 

In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington,  £>.  C. 


Jhbirfltfit 


THE    MEMORY    OF    HIM 

WHO 

BY  HIS  SONGS  HAS  DONE  MOKE  HARM  TO  THE  ROMANISTS 
THAN  BY  HIS  SERMONS." 


(  »i 


PREFACE. 


The  little  volume  which  we  offer  to  all  Evangelical 
Christians  is  a  compilation  from  various  sources. 
This  work  of  compilation  has  been  a  labor  of  love, 
the  recreation  of  leisure  hours  from  graver  duties. 
Luther's  songs  are  history,  and  the  history  of  the 
Reformation  cannot  be  understood  without  them. 
Says  Mr.  Coleridge :  "  Luther  did  as  much  for  the 
Reformation  by  his  hymns  as  by  his  translation  of 
the  Bible.  In  Germany  the  hymns  are  known  by 
heart  by  every  peasant ;  they  advise,  the}'  argue 
from  the  hymns,  and  every  soul  in  the  church  praises 
God,  like  a  Christian,  with  words  which  are  natural 
and  3*et  sacred  to  his  mind."  And  a  modern  writer 
remarks :  "  These  hymns  made  a  bond  of  union 
among  men  who  knew  little  of  Creeds  and  Articles. 
While  theologians  were  disputing  about  niceties  of 
doctrine,  every  devout  man  could  understand  the 
blessedness  of  singing  God's  praises  in  good  honest 
German,  instead  of  gazing  idly  at  the  Mass,  or  list- 
ening to  a  Latin  litany.    The  children  learned  Luth- 

(  5  ) 


Q  PREFACE. 


er's  hymns  in  the  cottage,  and  martyrs  sang  them 
on  the  scaffold." 

Where  some  historical  facts  are  connected  with  a 
hymn  a  few  words  have  been  said.  Some  hymns, 
which  are  best  known,  we  have  given  in  more  than 
one  version,  especially  the  "  Hymn  of  the  Reforma- 
tion," which  will  be  found  in  sixteen  different  ver- 
sions. With  regard  to  this  hymn  we  will  also  state 
that  there  is  a  Hebrew  translation  of  the  same,  in  a 
collection  of  hymns  translated  from  the  German 
and  English  into  Hebrew,  entitled,  "  Songs  of  Zion," 
for  the  use  of  the  Hebrew  Christians  at  Jerusalem 
and  London. 

The  sources  whence  the  translations  for  this  col- 
lection have  been  drawn  are  given  under  the  head- 
ing of  each  hymn.  In  the  arrangement  we  followed 
the  order  of  the  Christian  Year. 

And  now  go  forth,  thou  little  book,  and  show  the 
Christians  how  Luther  believed,  prayed,  and  sang ; 
for 

"  False  masters  now  abound,  whose  songs  indite ; 
Beware  of  them,  and  learn  to  judge  them  right: 
Where  God  builds  up  His  Church  and  Word,  hard  by 
Satan  is  found  with  murder  and  a  lie." 

[Luther.) 

B.  Pick. 
Rochester,  N.  Y. 


CONTENTS. 


Preface, 

Biographical  Sketch,        

Advent, 

Nun  komra  der  Heiden  Heiland  (two  versions), 
Christmas 

Vom  Hiramel  hoch  da  komm  ich  her,    . 

Vom  Himmel  kam  der  Engel  Schaar,    . 

Christum  wir  sollen  loben  schon,    . 

Gelobet  seist  du,  Jesu  Christ  (two  versions),  . 
Epiphany, 

Was  furcht'st  du  Feind  Herodes  sehr,    . 
Easter, 

Jesus  Christus  unser  Heiland  der  den  Tod, 

Christ  lag  in  Todesbanden  (two  versions), 
Whitsuntide, 

Komm  Heiliger  Geist,  Herre  Gott  (six  versions' 

Komm  Gott,  Schoepfer,  Heiliger  Geist,  . 

Nun  bitten  wir  den  Heiligen  Geist, 
The  Trinity, 

Der  du  bist  drei  in  Einigkeit, 

Gott  der  Vater  wohn  uns  bei  (two  versions),  . 

A  SOXG   CONCERNING    THE  HOLY  CHRISTIAN  CHURC 

Sie  ist  mir  lieb  die  werthe  Magd,    . 

The  Triumph  of  Faith, 

Ein  feste  Burg  ist  unser  Gott  (sixteen  versions), 

The  Church, 

Es  spricht  der  Unweisen  Mund  (two  versions), 
Ach  Gott  vom  Himmel  sieh  darein  (two  versions), 
War'  Gott  nicht  mit  uns  diese  Zeit, 

(  7 


PAGE 
5 

9 

31 

31-35 

36 

36 

39 

41 

42-46 

47 

47 

49 

49 

50-55 

56 

56-66 

67 

70 

73 

73 

,  75 

76 

76 

78 

106 

107 

■110 

■114 

115 


74 


u, 


107- 
111 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

Grace, 116 

Nunfreuteuch,lieben  Christen  g'moin(two  versions),  116 

Wohl  dem,  der  in  Gottesfurcht  steht,     .         .         .  122 

Es  wolt  uns  Gott  genasdig  sein,       .         .                  .  124 

Law, 126 

Mensch  willt  du  leben  seliglich,      ....  126 

Diess  sind  die  heiligen  zehn  Gebot,         .         .         .  127 

The  Creed, 131 

Wir  glauben  all  an  einen  Gott,       ....  131 

The  Lord's  Prayer, 133 

Vater  unser  im  Himmelreich  (two  versions),        133-138 

Prayer, 139 

Verleih  uns  Frieden  gnaediglich,    .         .         .         .  139 

Baptism, 140 

Christ  unser  Herr  zum  Jordan  ging,      .         .         .  140 

Repentance, 144 


Aus  tiefer  Noth  schrei  ich  zu  dir  (four  versions),  144-150 


The  Lord's  Supper, 

Jesus  Christus,  unser  Heiland  der  von  uns, 
Gott  sei  gelobet  und  gebenedeiet,    . 

Death, 

Mitten  wir  im  Leben  sind, 

Mit  Fried  und  Freud  fahr  ich  dahin, 

Praise, 

Jesaja,  dem  Propheten,  das  geschah, 

The  Te  Deum, 

Herr  Gott,  dich  loben  wir, 

Miscellaneous, 

Erhalt  uns  Herr,  bei  deinem  "Wort, 
Nun  treiben  wir  den  Pabst  heraus, 
Ein  neues  Lied  wir  heben  an, 

Index  of  First  German  Lines, 

Index  of  First  English  Lines, 


151 
151 
153 
156 
156 
159 
161 
161 
162 
162 
166 
166 
167 
168 
175 
177 


BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH. 


"Iapeti  de  stirpe  saturn  Doctore  Luther 
Majorem  nobis  nulla  propago  fuit." 


Doctor  Martin  Luther,  the  bold  and  uncom- 
promising Reformer,  the  Homer  of  German}^,  was 
born  at  Eisleben,  in  Saxony,  during  a  visit  of  his 
parents  to  that  city,  November  10th,  1483.  His 
father,  Hans  Luther,  a  poor  miner,  who  had  pre- 
viously resided  in  the  village  of  Mohra,  removed 
to  Mansfeld  the  following  year ;  and  here  it  was 
that  Martin  received  the  first  rudiments  of  educa- 
tion. At  the  age  of  fourteen  he  was  sent  to  the 
Franciscan  school  at  Magdeburg,  where  he  used  to 
sing  in  the  streets  for  his  bread,  as  his  father  was 
unable  to  support  him.  A  year  after,  he  went  to 
Eisenach,  and  thence  to  the  University  of  Erfurt, 
where,  in  1503,  he  received  his  first  degree,  and 
two   years   later,  having   obtained   the   degree   of 

(9) 


10  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH. 

Doctor  of  Philosophy,  he  delivered  lectures  on  the 
physics  and  ethics  of  Aristotle.  Here,  at  Erfurt, 
it  was  that  he  for  the  first  time  found  the  Bible. 
His  father  had  destined  him  to  the  study  of  the 
Law ;  but  the  impression  produced  on  him  by  the 
fate  of  his  friend  Alexis,  who  was  struck  dead  b}7 
lightning  while  walking  by  his  side,  on  their  road 
from  Mansfeld  to  Erfurt,  uniting  with  the  effect  of 
his  early  religious  education,  induced  him  to  de- 
vote himself  to  the  monastic  life,  and  he  entered 
the  monastery  of  the  Augustines  in  1505,  submit- 
ting patiently  to  all  the  penances  which  the  supe- 
rior of  the  order  imposed  upon  novices.  "  Of  a 
truth,''  he  said,  "  I  was  a  pious  monk,  and  kept  the 
rule  of  my  order  more  strictly  than  I  can  tell.  If 
ever  a  monk  got  to  heaven  03*"  monkery,  I  was  de- 
termined to  get  there.  I  strained  myself  to  the 
very  utmost,  and  tormented  and  plagued  my  body 
with  fastings,  vigils,  prayers,  and  other  exercises, 
far  more  than  my  bitterest  enemies  can  torment  me 
now.  I,  and  others  too,  have  toiled  to  the  utmost, 
with  a  deadly  sincerit}^,  to  bring  our  hearts  and 
consciences  to  rest  and  peace  before  God,  and  yet 
could  never  find  that  same  peace  amid  such  horrible 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH.  \\ 

darkness."  "  For  I  knew  Christ  no  more,  save  as 
a  severe  judge,  from  whom  I  sought  to  escape,  and 
yet  could  not."  In  this  distress  of  mind  he  was 
comforted  by  the  Vicar-General  Staupitz,  who  an- 
nounced to  him  for  the  first  time  the  great  founda- 
tion-truth, that  not  in  works  and  penance,  but  in 
"love  toward  God,  and  faith  toward  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,"  true  repentance  consists.  "  Seek  not  con- 
version in  emaciation  and  suffering,  but  love  Him 
who  first  loved  thee." 

From  this  time  he  was  a  zealous  preacher  and 
professor  of  theolog}\  In  1510  he  visited  the  court 
of  Pope  Leo  X,  at  Rome.  After  his  return,  in 
1512,  he  was  made  Doctor  in  Theology.  In  1517 
he  published  his  "Theses,"  which,  as  Myconius,  a 
contemporary,  says,  "  flew  over  Germany  as  if  the 
angels  of  God  had  been  its  messenger  and  carried 
them  to  all  men's  eyes."  In  1518  Luther  had  a 
controversy  with  Dr.  Eck,  and  the  same  year  met 
the  cardinal-legate  Cajetan,  at  Augsburg.  In  1520 
came  his  open  breach  with  the  Pope,  when  he  burnt 
the  papal  bull  of  excommunication,  the  "  Bulla 
contra  errores  Martini  Lutheri  et  sequacium." 

In  1521  we  see  our  hero  at  Worms,  boldly  con- 


12  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH. 

fronting  that  august  assemblage  at  the  Diet.  All 
eyes  are  centred  upon  the  marvellous  and  intrepid 
monk,  albeit  slight  traces  of  emotion  are  observed 
in  his  deportment,  as  he  finds  himself  unsupported 
in  the  midst  of  so  much  pomp  and  pageantry  of 
state ;  but  soon  he  recovers  his  equanimity,  all 
agitation  subsides,  and 

"There  lie  stands  in  superhuman  calm, 
Concentred  and  sublime  !  Around  him  pomp, 
And  blaze  imperial,  haughty  eyes,  and  words, 
Whose  tones  breathe  tyranny,  in  vain  attempt 
The  heaven-born  quiet  of  his  soul  to  move  ; 
Crowned  with  the  grace  of  everlasting  Truth, 
A  more  than  monarch  among  kings  he  stood !" 

[Evenings  with  the  Sacred  Poets,  p.  90.) 


Lucas  Cranach's  picture  represents  Luther  as  he 
stood  there,  so  lone  and  strong,  with  his  great  fire- 
heart, — a  new  Prometheus,  confronting  the  Jove  of 
the  sixteenth  century  and  the  German  Olympus. 
"  Here  I  stand  ;  I  cannot  otherwise.  God  help  me  ! 
Amen." 

In  1522  we  see  Luther  again  at  Wittenberg.     In 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH.  13 


1525  he  married  Catharine  von  Bora.  Until  the 
3Tear  1546  he  lived  at  Wittenberg,  when  he  died  on 
a  journey,  at  Eisleben,  at  the  age  of  sixt}'-three. 

His  great  distinction  of  course  lies  in  his  great 
work  of  Reformation ;  but  this  subject  does  not 
come  within  the  range  of  the  present  work.  His 
poetical  talent  was  shown  in  the  department  of 
sacred  poetry.  When,  in  1526,  a  complete  new 
German  liturgy  came  out,  and  the  want  of  German 
psalms  and  l^mns  in  place  of  the  Latin  hymns  and 
sequences  was  felt,  Luther  at  once  set  to  work  to 
supply  it. 

He  was  intensely  fond  of  both  music  and  poetry, 
and  was  himself  a  master  of  vigorous  and  simple 
German.  What  he  thought  of  music  may  be  seen 
from  what  he  said  many  years  before  Shakspeare 
wrote  the  famous  passage  about  "  the  man  that 
hath  no  music  in  himself:"  "There  is  no  doubt 
that  man}r  seeds  of  splendid  virtues  are  to  be  found 
in  such  souls  as  are  stirred  by  music ;  and  them 
who  have  no  feeling  for  it  I  hold  no  better  than 
stocks  and  stones.  If  any  man  despises  music,  as 
all  fanatics  do,  for  him  I  have  no  liking ;  for  music 
is  a  gift  and  grace  of  God,  not  an  invention  of  men. 


14  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH. 

Thus  it  expels  the  Devil  and  makes  people  cheerful. 
Then  one  forgets  all  wrath,  impurity,  sycophancy, 
and  other  vices.  Next  to  theology," — that  was  with 
Luther  the  music  of  the  spheres, — "  I  give  music 
the  highest  and  most  honorable  place ;  and  every 
one  knows  how  David  and  all  saints  have  put  their 
divine  thoughts  into  verse,  rhyme,  and  song."  To 
his  friend  Spalatin  he  writes  :  "  It  is  my  intention, 
after  the  example  of  the  prophets  and  the  ancient 
fathers,  to  make  German  psalms  for  the  people ; 
that  is,  spiritual  songs,  whereby  the  Word  of  God 
ma}T  be  kept  alive  among  them  b}T  singing.  We 
seek,  therefore,  everywhere  for  poets.  Now,  as  you 
are  such  a  master  of  the  German  tongue,  and  are 
so  mighty  and  eloquent  therein,  I  entreat  you  to 
join  hands  with  us  in  this  work,  and  to  turn  one  of 
the  psalms  into  a  hymn,  according  to  the  pattern 
(i.  e.,  an  attempt  of  my  own)  that  I  here  send  you. 
But  I  desire  that  all  newfangled  words  from  the 
Court  should  be  left  out ;  that  the  words  may  be 
all  quite  plain  and  common,  such  as  the  common 
people  may  understand,  yet  pure  and  skilfully  han- 
dled ;  and  next,  that  the  meaning  should  be  given 
clearly  and  graciously,  according  to  the  sense  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH.  15 

the  psalm  itself."  (Winkworth,  Christ.  Sing.,  p.  107, 
seq.) 

Luther,  besides  writing  some  original  hymns, 
translated  a  number  of  the  grand  old  Latin  hymns, 
which  he  counted  among  the  good  things  that  God's 
power  and  wonderful  working  had  kept  "alive  amid 
so  much  corruption,"  and  purified  and  adapted  old 
German  poems  to  the  service  of  the  temple.  Thus 
the  old  ditty — 

"  O  thou  naughty  Judas  ! 
"What  hast  thou  done, 
To  betray  our  Master, 

God's  only  Son  ! 
Therefore  must  thou  suffer 

Hell's  agony, 
Lucifer's  companion 
Must  forever  be. 

Kyrie  eleison !" 

Luther  changed  to  the  following: 

"  'Twas  our  great  transgression 
And  our  sore  misdeed 
Made  the  Lord  our  Saviour 
On  the  cross  to  bleed. 


16  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH. 

Not  then  on  thee,  poor  Judas, 

Nor  on  that  Jewish  crew, 
Our  vengeance  dare  we  visit, — 

We  are  to  blame,  not  you. 
Kyrie  eleison ! 

'  All  hail  to  thee,  Christ  Jesus, 
Who  hungest  on  the  tree, 
And  bor'st  for  our  transgressions 

Both  shame  and  agony. 
Now  beside  thy  Father 

Reignest  thou  on  high  ; — 
Bless  us  all  our  lifetime, 
Take  us  when  we  die  ! 
Kyrie  eleison  !" 

(Christ.  Exam.,  1860,  p.  239,  seq.) 

Altogether  Luther  wrote  about  thirty-six  hymns 
(more  are  frequently  ascribed  to  him,  but  with 
doubtful  accuracy),  and  which  may  be  divided  as 
follows : 

(a.)  translations  of  latin  hymns. 

1.  Jesus  Christus  unser  Heiland.     From  the  Latin  of  John 
Huss  :  Jesus  Christus  nostra  Salus. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH.  17 

2.  Verleih  uns  Frieden  gnadiglich.     Prom   the  Latin  Da, 

pacem  domine  (sixth  or  seventh  century). 

3.  Christum  wir  sollen  loben  schon.     From  the  Latin  of 

Colius  Sedulus  :  A  solis  ortus  cardine. 

4.  Der  du  bist  drei  in  Einigkeit.     From  the  Latin,  O  lux 

beata  trinitas  (fifth  century). 

5.  Herr  Gott,  dich  loben  wir.     From  the  Latin,  Te  Deum 

laudamus  (fourth  century). 

6.  Komm,  Gott,  Schopfer,  heil.  Geist.     From  the  Latin  of 

Gregory  the  Great :   Veni  creator  spiritus,  mentes. 

7.  Komm,  heiliger    Geist,  Herre  Gott.     From  the  Latin, 

Yeni  sancte  spiritus,  reple  (fourteenth  century). 

8.  Nun  komm  der  Heiden  Heiland.     From  the  Latin  of 

Ambrose:  Yeni  redemptor  gentium. 

9.  Was  fiircht'st  du  Feind  Herodes.     From  the  Latin  of 

Colius  Sedulus:  Hostis  Herodis  impie. 

10.  Wir  glauben  All'  an  Einen  Gott.     From  the  Latin,  Pa- 

trem  credimus. 

(B.)    AMPLIFICATION    OF    GERMAN    HYMNS    FROM 
THE    LATIN. 

11.  Gelobet  seist  du,  Jesu  Christ.     From  the  Latin  of  Greg- 

ory the  Great :    Grates  nunc  omnes  reddamus  ;   to 
which  he  added  six  verses. 

12.  Mitten  wir  im  Leben  sind.    From  the  Latin  of  Notker  : 

Media  vita  in  morte  sumus ;  to  which  he  added  two 
verses. 

2 


18  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH. 

(C.)    CORRECTION    AND    REVISION    OF    GERMAN    HYMNS. 

13.  Christ  lag  in  T*bdesbanden.    A  revision  and  enlargement 

of  the  old  "  Christus  ist  uferstanden." 

14.  Gott  der  Vater,  wohn  uns  bei.     A  correction  of  an  old 

hymn  of  the  fifteenth  century. 
■15.  Gott  sei  gelobet  und  gebenedeiet.    A  revision  of  a  hymn 
of  the  sixteenth  century,  sung  at  high  mass. 

16.  Nun  bitten  wir  den  heil.  Geist.     An  enlargement  of  a 

hymn  of  the  thirteenth  century,  to  which  he  added 
three  other  verses. 

(d.)  hymns  based  upon  latin  psalms. 

17.  Ach  Gott  vom  Himmel  sieh  darein.    Psalm  12:  Salvum 

me  fac  domine. 

18.  Aus  tiefer  Noth  schrei  ich  zu  dir.     Psalm  130:   De  pro- 

fundis  clamavi  ad  te. 

19.  Ein  feste  Burg  ist  unser  Gott.     Psalm  46 :  Deus  noster 

refugium. 
•20.  Es  sprichtder  unweisen  Mund.    Psalm  14:  Dixit  insipi- 

ens  in  corde  suo. 
.21.  Es  wollt  uns  Gott  gnadig  sein.     Psalm  67:  Deus  mise- 

reatur  nostri. 

22.  War'  Gott  nicht  mit  uns  diese  Zeit.     Psalm  124:  Nisi 

quia  dominus. 

23.  Wohl  dem,  der  in  Gottesfurcht  steht.    Psalm  128  :  Beati 

omnes  qui  timent  dominum. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH. 


19 


(e.)  hymns  based  upon  passages  of  the  bible. 

24.  Christ  unser  Herr  zum  Jordan  kam.     Matthew  3. 

25.  Diess  sind  die  heiligen  zehn  Gebot.     The  Decalogue. 

26.  Jesaja,  dem  Propheten,  das  geschah.     Isaiah  6. 

27.  Mensch  willst  du  leben  seliglich.     The  Decalogue. 

28.  Mit  Fried  und  Freud  ich  fahr  dahin.     Luke  2. 

29.  Sie  ist  mir  lieb,  die  werthe  Magd.     Revelation  12. 

30.  Vater  unser  im  Himmelreich.     Matthew  6. 

31.  Vom  Himmel  hoch,  da  komm  ich  her.     Luke  2. 


(f.)  original  hymns. 

32.  Ein  neues  Lied  wir  heben  an. 

33.  Erhalt  uns  Herr,  bei  deinem  Wort. 

34.  Jesus  Christus,  unser  Heiland. 

35.  Nun  freut  euch,  lieben  Christen  g'mein. 

36.  Vom  Himmel  kam  der  Engel  Schaar. 

These   different  hymns  may  be   arranged  in  the 
following  chronological  order : 


A.D.  1523. 

Nos. 

17,  18,  32,  35. 

"  1524. 

u 

1,  3,  6,  7,  8,  10,  11, 12,  13,  14,  15, 16 
20,  21,  22,  23,  25,  27,  28,  34. 

"  1526. 

u 

26. 

«  1529. 

(( 

2,  5,  19. 

"  1535. 

u 

29,  31. 

"  1539. 

(( 

30 

"  1541. 

a 

9  (Dec.  12),  24,  33. 

"  1543. 

u 

4,  36. 

♦ 


20  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH. 

Luther's  first  hymn  was,  it  is  believed,  called 
forth  by  the  martyrdom  of  two  young  Christian 
monks,  who  were  burned  alive,  at  Brussels,  by  the 
Sophists,  in  1523 : 

"  Flung  to  the  heedless  winds,  or  on  the  waters  cast, 
Their  ashes  shall  be  watched,  and  gathered  at  the  last ; 
And,  from  that  scattered  dust,  around  us  and  abroad, 
Shall  spring  a  plenteous  seed  of  witnesses  for  God. 
Jesus  hath  now  received  their  latest  living  breath, 
Yet  vain  is  Satan's  boast  of  victory  in  their  death. 
Still,  still,  though  dead,  they  speak,  and,  trumpet-tongued, 

proclaim 
To  many  a  wakening  land  the  one  availing  Name  I" 

These  majestic  stanzas,  quoted  in  D'Aubigne's 
History  of  the  Reformation,  form  indeed,  in  them- 
selves and  by  themselves,  though  only  a  fragment, 
a  sweet  and  soul-stirring  poem.  They  speak  to  the 
heart  like  a  trumpet.  But  it  is  not  just  the  trumpet 
Luther  blew.  It  is  a  little  more  silvery  than  that 
was.  To  change  the  figure,  these  lines  (which  are 
rather  a  transfusion  than  a  translation)  represent 
their  original  somewhat  as  do  those  ideal  pictures 
of  places  painted  after  a  lapse  of  time  by  artists  of 
genius,  and  called  memories.     We  can  only  hope  to 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH.  21 

give,  ourselves,  a  hint  of  the  picture  and  the  music; 
indeed,  it  seems  impossible  to  combine  in  our  mod- 
ern speech  the  strong  antique  simplicity  of  the 
original,  with  its  singular  melody  and  harmony. 

It  was  in  the  very  autumn  when  Hans  Sachs, 
who  sat  beating  time  on  his  lapstone  to  the  music 
of  the  blessed  revival,  came  forth  with  his  "Night- 
ingale,"— who,  soaring  above  the  clouds,  announced 
the  return  of  day  to  a  world  so  long  slumbering  in 
darkness,  or  walking  in  a  dim,  dubious,  malignant 
lunar  light, — that  Luther,  hearing  of  the  good  con- 
fession the  two  Augustinian  monks  had  witnessed 
at  Brussels,  sent  forth  his  hymn  with  a  letter  to 
the  churches  in  those  parts,  in  the  beginning  of 
which  he  says  that  the  word  is  fulfilled  again : 
"  The  flowers  appear  on  the  earth,  the  time  of  the 
singing  of  birds  is  come,  and  the  voice  of  the  turtle 
is  heard  in  the  land." 

The  hymn,  consisting  of  over  a  hundred  lines, 
begins : 

"  A  brave  new  song  aloud  we  sing, 
To  tell  the  wondrous  story, 
What  God  hath  done,  our  Lord  and  King, 
And  sound  his  praise  and  glory. 


22  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH. 

At  Brussels,  down  in  Netherland, 

The  Lord  of  gifts  and  graces 
Hath  well  revealed  his  mighty  hand, 

By  two  young  boys,  whose  faces 

Now  shine  in  heavenly  places." 

Then,  after  detailing,  in  precisely  this  measure, 
the  particulars  of  the  trial,  condemnation,  and 
execution,  it  concludes  with  the  stanzas  which  we 
referred  to  as  having  been  so  freely  paraphrased, 
and  which  somewhat  literally  run  as  follows : 

"  Their  ashes  will  not  rest;  world-wide 

They  fly  through  every  nation. 
No  cave  nor  grave,  no  turn  nor  tide, 

Can  hide  the  abomination. 
They  whom  the  foe  with  murderous  flame 

Had  burnt  to  death, — upspringing, 
Lo!  in  his  ears  they  shout  his  shame, 

Till  every  land  is  ringing 

With  their  triumphant  singing. 


Soon  all  his  arts  shall  fail  him  ; 
God,  in  His  Word,  hath  come  again, — 
With  thankful  hearts  we'll  hail  him. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH.  23 

Hard  by  stands  Summer  at  the  door  -r 
Grim  "Winter's  chain  is  broken  \ 

The  tender  flowers  put  forth  once  more : 
These  things  His  hand  betoken 
Who'll  do  what  he  hath  spoken." 

{Christ.  Exam.,  1860,  p.  243,  seq.) 

Luther's  hymns,  compared  with  Wesley's  thou- 
sands, are  rather  small  in  number  ;  "  but  they  are 
to  be  weighed  and  not  counted,  and  weighed,  too, 
in  the  scales  of  an  historian's  and  a  Christian  be- 
liever's living  sympathy." 

Spangenberg,  in  his  Preface  to  the  "  Cithara 
Lutheri,"  in  1545,  speaks  thus  of  Luther's  hymns: 
uOne  must  certainly  let  this  be  true  and  remain 
true,  that,  among  all  Meister-singers,  from  the  days 
of  the  Apostles  until  now,  Lutherus  is  and  always 
will  be  the  best  and  most  accomplished ;  in  whose 
hymns  and  songs  one  does  not  find  a  vain  or  need- 
less word.  All  flows  and  falls  in  the  sweetest  and 
neatest  manner,  full  of  spirit  and  doctrine,  so  that 
his  every  word  gives  outright  a  sermon  of  its  own, 
or,  at  least,  a  singular  reminiscence.  There  is 
nothing  forced,  nothing  foisted  in  or  patched  up, 


24  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH. 


nothing  fragmentary.  The  rhymes  are  easy  and 
good,  the  words  choice  and  proper,  the  meaning 
clear  and  intelligible,  the  melodies  lovely  and 
hearty,  and  in  summd  all  is  so  rare  and  majestic, 
so  full  of  pith  and  power,  so  cheering  and  comfort- 
ing, that,  in  sooth,  you  will  not  find  his  equal,  much 
less  his  master."  {Christ.  Exam.,  p.  240.) 

On  the  18th  of  February,  1546,  at  2  a.m.,  this 
hero  ended  his  earthly  career,  and  was  buried  in 
the  castle  church  oi  Wittenberg.  Over  his  grave 
his  own  great  battle-hymn,  "  Ein  feste  Burg  ist 
unser  Gott,"  was  sung  amid  sobs  and  tears. 

Luther  is  represented  as  a  man  of  low  stature 
but  handsome  person,  with  a  "  clear,  brave  coun- 
tenance," lively  complexion,  and  falcon  e}'es.  An- 
tonio Varillas  (Liber  Hist,  de  Haeres)  says:  "Nature 
gave  him  an  Italian  head  upon  a  German  body ; 
such  was  his  vivacity  and  diligence,  his  cheerfulness 
and  health."  His  voice  was  clear  and  penetrating, 
his  eloquence  overpowering.  Melancthon,  on  be- 
holding his  picture,  exclaimed,  "  Fulmina  erant 
singula  verba  lua."  Another  contemporary  said  of 
him,  that  he  was  a  man  "to  stop  the  wrath  of  God." 
Another  calls  him  the  third  Elias.     He  was  a  hus- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH.  25 

band  and  a  father,  fond  of  society,  of  a  free  and 
jovial  nature,  much  given  to  music,  himself  a  com- 
poser and  an  able  performer  on  the  flute.  A  man 
of  singular  temperance  and  great  industry.  He 
throve  best  on  hard  work  and  spare  diet.  An  easy 
life  made  him  sick.  As  to  his  character,  a  man 
without  guile,  open,  sincere,  generous,  obliging, 
patient,  brave,  devout.  u  He  was  not  only  the 
greatest,"  sa}rs  Henry  Heine,  "  but  the  most  German 
man  of  our  history.  In  his  character  all  the  faults 
and  all  the  virtues  of  the  Germans  are  combined 
on  the  largest  scale.  Then  he  had  qualities  which 
are  very  seldom  found  united,  which  we  are  accus- 
tomed to  regard  as  irreconcilable  antagonisms.  He 
was,  at  the  same  time,  a  dreamy  mystic  and  a  prac- 
tical man  of  action.  His  thoughts  had  not  only 
wings  but  hands.  He  spoke  and  he  acted.  He 
was  not  only  the  tongue  but  the  sword  of  his  time. 
Moreover,  he  was  at  the  same  time  a  scholastic 
word  thresher  and  an  inspired,  God-intoxicated 
prophet.  When  he  had  plagued  himself  all  day 
long  with  his  dogmatic  distinctions,  in  the  evening 
he  took  his  flute  and  gazed  at  the  stars,  dissolved 
in  melody  and   devotion.     He   could  scold  like   a 


26  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH. 

fishwife,  and  he  could  be  soft,  too,  as  a  tender 
maiden.  Sometimes  he  was  wild  as  the  storm  that 
uproots  the  oak,  and  then  again  he  was  gentle  as 
the  zephyr  that  dallies  with  the  violet.  He  was 
full  of  the  most  awful  reverence  and  of  self-sacrifice 
in  honor  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  He  could  merge  him- 
self entirely  in  pure  spirituality  ;  and  3-et  he  was 
well  acquainted  with  the  glories  of  this  world,  and 
knew  how  to  prize  them  ;  and  out  of  his  mouth 
blossomed  the  famous  saying, — 

"  '  Wer  nicht  liebt  Wein,  Weiber,  und  Gesang, 
Der  bleibt  ein  Narr  sein  Lebenlang.'* 

"  He  was  a  complete  man,  I  would  sa}^  an  abso- 
lute man,  one  in  whom  matter  and  spirit  were  not 

*  "  Who  loves  not  wine,  and  wife,  and  song, 
Kemains  a  fool  his  whole  life  long." 

It  may  be  true  that  this  couplet  has  been  framed  out  of 
the  spirit  and  expressions  of  the  great  Keformer,  and  that 
in  a  rough  and  somewhat  overstated  manner  they  express 
certain  qualities  of  his  marked  nature  ;  but  they  are  nowhere 
to  be  found  in   Luther's   preserved  writings,  speeches,   or 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH.  27 

divided.  To  call  him  a  spiritualist,  therefore,  would 
be  as  great  an  error  as  to  call  him  a  sensualist. 
How  shall  I  express  it  ?  He  had  something  origi- 
nal, incomprehensible,  miraculous,  such  as  we  find 
in  all  providential  men, — something  awfully  naive, 
blunderingly  wise,  sublimely  narrow;  something 
invincible,  demoniacal."  (Hedge,  Prose  Writers  of 
Germany.) 

letters,  and  cannot  be  authenticated  as  from  his  lips.  Some 
modern  uses  made  of  them  are  as  untrue  to  his  character 
and  sentiments  as  they  are  to  correct  Christian  morals.  As 
Luther  would  have  meant  such  words,  had  he  used  them, 
there  is  much  truth,  wisdom,  and  just  humanity  in  them  ; 
but  as  some  have  taken  them,  under  pretended  authority  of 
his  name,  they  are  thoroughly  reprehensible  and  unchris- 
tian.— The  Publisher. 


28  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH. 


A   PREFACE    TO    ALL    GOOD    HYMN-BOOKS. 
By  Dr.  Martin  Luther,  1543. 


Lady  Mustek  speaketh. 

Of  all  the  joys  that  are  on  earth 

Is  none  more  dear  nor  higher  worth, 

Than  what  in  my  sweet  songs  is  found 

And  instrument  of  various  sound. 

Where  friends  and  comrades  sing  in  tune, 

All  evil  passions  vanish  soon ; 

Hate,  anger,  envy,  cannot  stay, 

All  gloom  and  heartache  melt  away ; 

The  lust  of  wealth,  the  cares  that  cling, 

Are  all  forgotten  while  we  sing. 

Freely  we  take  our  joy  herein, 

For  this  sweet  pleasure  is  no  sin, 

But  pleaseth  God  far  more,  we  know, 

Than  any  joys  the  world  can  show  ; 

The  Devil's  work  it  doth  impede, 

And  hinders  many  a  deadly  deed. 

So  fared  it  with  King  Saul  of  old  ; 

When  David  struck  his  harp  of  gold, 

So  sweet  and  clear  its  tones  rang  out, 

Saul's  murderous  thoughts  were  put  to  rout. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH.  29 

The  heart  grows  still  when  I  am  heard, 
And  opens  to  God's  Truth  and  Word  ; 
So  are  we  "by  Elisha  taught, 
Who  on  the  harp  the  Spirit  sought. 

The  best  time  o'  the  year  is  mine, 
When  all  the  little  birds  combine 
To  sing  until  the  earth  and  air 
Are  filled  with  sweet  sounds  everywhere; 
And  most  the  tender  nightingale 
Makes  joyful  every  wood  and  dale, 
Singing  her  love-song  o'er  and  o'er, 
For  which  we  thank  her  evermore. 
But  yet  more  thanks  are  due  from  us 
To  the  dear  Lord  who  made  her  thus, 
A  singer  apt  to  touch  the  heart, 
Mistress  of  all  my  dearest  art. 
To  God  she  sings  by  night  and  day, 
Unwearied,  praising  Him  alway  ; 
Him  I,  too,  laud  in  every  song, 
To  whom  all  thanks  and  praise  belong. 

(C.  Winkworth,  Christian  Singers,  p.  1.) 


bbettt. 


Nun  Komm  der  Heiden  Heiland. 


This  lrymn,  which  has  been  freely  reproduced  by 
Luther,  is,  as  Dr.  Schaff  says,  "  the  best  of  the 
Ambrosian  hymns"  (except  the  Te  Deum,  which  is 
older),  full  of  faith,  rugged  vigor,  austere  simplicity, 
and  bold  contrasts,  but  of  objectionable  taste  in  the 
third  stanza,  which  is  here  smoothed  down.  St. 
Augustine,  in  his  "  Confessions,"  testifies  to  the 
effect  of  the  hymns  and  music  introduced  into  the 
church  of  Milan  hy  Ambrose,  his  spiritual  father. 
"  How  did  I  weep,  0  Lord  !  through  thy  h}*mns  and 
canticles,  touched  to  the  quick  by  the  voices  of  thy 
sweet-attuned  church !  The  voices  sank  into  mine 
ears,  and  the  truths  distilled  into  my  heart,  whence 
the  affections  of  my  devotions  overflowed;  tears  ran 
down,  and  I  rejoiced  in  them."  The  translation 
which  we  subjoin  is  from  the  Latin  Veni  Bedemptor 
gentium,  which  is  as  happy  as  if  it  were  a  transla- 
tion from  the  German. 

(  31  ) 


32  ADVENT. 


(Schaff,  "Christ  in  Song,"  p.  9.) 

0  thou  Redeemer  of  our  race ! 

Come,  show  the  Virgin's  Son  to  earth : 
Let  every  age  admire  the  grace ; 

Worthy  a  God  thy  human  birth ! 

'Twas  by  no  mortal  will  or  aid, 
But  by  the  Holy  Spirit's  might, 

That  flesh  the  Word  of  God  was  made, 
A  babe  yet  wraiting  for  the  light. 

Spotless  remains  the  Virgin's  name, 
Although  the  Holy  Child  she  bears ; 

And  Virtue's  banners  round  her  flame, 
While  God  a  temple  so  prepares.* 

*  Luther  retaining  the  harsh  features  of  the  original- 

Alvus  tumescit  virginis, 

Claustra  pudoris  permanent, 

Vexilla  virtutum  niicant, 

Versatur  in  templo  Deus, 
translates  thus : 

Der  jungfrau  leib  schwanger  ward, 
Doch  bleibt  keuschheit  rein  bewahrt. 
Leucbt'  hervor  manc-h  tugend  scbon, 
Gott  da  war  in  seinem  thron. 


NUN  KOMM  DER  HEIDEN  HEILAND.         33 


As  if  from  Honor's  ro}Tal  hall 

Comes  forth  at  length  the  Mighty  One, 
Whom  Son  of  God  and  Man  they  call, 

Eager  His  destined  course  to  run. 


•» 


Forth  from  the  Father's  bosom  sent, 
To  Him  returned,  He  claimed  his  own  ; 

Down  to  the  realms  of  death  He  went, 
Then  rose  to  share  the  eternal  throne. 

An  equal  at  the  Father's  side, 

Thou  wear'st  the  trophy  of  Thy  flesh ; 

In  Thee  our  nature  shall  abide 

In  strength  complete,  in  beauty  fresh. 

With  light  divine  Thy  manger  streams, 
That  kindles  darkness  into  day ; 

Dimmed  by  no  light  henceforth,  its  beams 
Shine  through  all  time  with  changeless  ray 


(J.  C.  Jacobi,  "  Psalmodia  Geruianica,"  I,  p.  1.) 

Xow  the  Saviour  comes  indeed 
Of  the  Virgin-Mother's  seed, 
To  the  wonder  of  mankind, 
By  the  Lord  himself  designed. 


34  ADVENT. 


Not  begot  like  men  unclean, 
But  without  the  stain  of  sin ; 
In  our  nature  God  was  born 
Us  to  save,  who  were  forlorn. 


Though  the  Yirgin  was  with  child, 
Chastity  proved  undefiled ; 
All  the  female  virtues  here 
Were  inthroned,  for  God  was  there. 


From  His  chambers  forth  He  went, 
Left  the  glorious  element ; 
And  like  God  and  hero-man 
He  his  blessed  course  began. 

Coming  from  his  Father's  breast, 
He  returned  to  Him  at  last; 
He,  descending  into  hell, 
Triumphed  without  parallel. 

Thou  who,  Godlike  every  way, 
Carry  Thy  victorious  sway 
In  the  flesh  to  such  a  length 
That  we  gain  Thy  godly  strength. 


NUN  KOMM  DER  HEIDEN  HEILAND.        35 

Lord,  thy  crib  shines  bright  and  clear, 
Lightens  night  both  far  and  near : 
Let  no  darkness  cloud  this  light, 
That  our  faith  be  always  bright. 

Glory  to  the  God  of  love ! 
Glory  to  His  Son  above ! 
Glory  to  the  Holy  Ghost ! 
Blessed  Three,  forever  most. 


Hk^i 


^risimas. 


Vom  Himmel  hoch  da  komm  ich  her. 

A    CHILD'S    SONG    AT    CHRISTMAS    CONCERNING    THE    LITTLE 
CHILD    JESUS. 

This  carol  Luther  wrote  for  his  little  boy  Hans, 
when  the  latter  was  five  years  old,  and  it  is  still 
sung  from  the  dome  of  the  Kreuzkirche  in  Dresden, 
before  daybreak  on  the  morning  of  Christmas  Day. 
It  refers  to  the  custom  then  and  long  afterwards 
prevalent  in  Germany,  of  making  at  Christmas-time 
representations  of  the  manger  with  the  infant  Jesus. 
Luther,  however,  abridged  his  original  composition 
in  1543,  and  thus  we  find  in  most  of  the  German 
hymn-books  the  abridged  form,  commencing,  "  Yom 
Himmel  kam  der  Engel  Schaar."  The  translation 
which  we  subjoin  is  the  original  form,  as  it  was 
written  b}^  Luther  for  his  son  Hans. 

(C.  Winkworth,  "Lyra  Germ.,"  I,  p.  12.) 

From  heaven  above  to  earth  I  come, 
To  bear  good  news  to  every  home ; 
Glad  tidings  of  great  joy  I  bring, 
Whereof  I  now  will  say  and  sing. 

(  36  ) 


VOM  HIMMEL  HOCH  DA  KOMM  ICH  HER.      37 

To  you,  this  night,  is  born  a  child 
Of  Mary,  chosen  mother  mild ; 
This  little  child,  of  lowly  birth, 
Shall  be  the  jo}^  of  all  your  earth. 

'Tis  Christ  our  God,  who  far  on  high 
Hath  heard  3-our  sad  and  bitter  cry ; 
Himself  will  your  salvation  be, 
Himself  from  sin  will  make  you  free. 

He  brings  those  blessings  long  ago 
Prepared  by  God  for  all  below  ; 
Henceforth  His  kingdom  open  stands 
To  you,  as  to  the  augel  bands. 

These  are  the  tokens  ye  shall  mark, 
The  swaddling-clothes  and  manger  dark; 
There  shall  ye  find  the  young  child  laid, 
By  whom  the  heavens  and  earth  were  made. 

Now  let  us  all,  with  gladsome  cheer, 
Follow  the  shepherds,  and  draw  near 
To  see  this  wondrous  gift  of  God, 
Who  hath  His  only  Son  bestowed. 


38  CHRISTMAS. 


Give  heed,  my  heart,  lift  up  thine  eyes ! 
Who  is  it  in  37on  manger  lies  ? 
Who  is  this  child,  so  young  and  fair  ? 
The  blessed  Christ-child  lieth  there ! 

Welcome  to  earth,  thou  noble  Guest, 
Through  whom  e'en  wicked  men  are  blest ! 
Thou  com'st  to  share  our  miseiy, 
What  can  we  render,  Lord,  to  Thee ! 

Ah,  Lord,  who  hast  created  all, 
How  hast  Thou  made  Thee  weak  and  small, 
That  Thou  must  choose  Thy  infant  bed 
Where  ass  and  ox  but  lately  fed ! 

Were  earth  a  thousand  times  as  fair, 
Beset  with  gold  and  jewels  rare, 
She  yet  were  far  too  poor  to  be 
A  narrow  cradle,  Lord,  for  Thee. 

For  velvets  soft  and  silken  stuff 
Thou  hast  but  hay,  and  straw  so  rough, 
Whereon,  thou  King,  so  rich  and  great, 
As  'twere  Thy  heaven,  art  throned  in  state 


VOM  HIMMEL  RAM  DER  ENGEL  SCHAAR.       39 

Thus  bath  it  pleased  Thee  to  make  plain 
The  truth  to  us  poor  fools  and  vain, 
That  this  world's  honor,  wealth,  and  might, 
Are  nought  and  worthless  in  Thy  sight. 

Ah,  dearest  Jesus,  holy  Child, 
Make  Thee  a  bed,  soft,  undefiled, 
Within  my  heart,  that  it  may  be 
A  quiet  chamber  kept  for  Thee. 

My  heart  for  very  joy  doth  leap, 
My  lips  no  more  can  silence  keep ; 
I  too  must  sing  with  joyful  tongue 
That  sweetest  ancient  cradle-song — 

Glory  to  God  in  highest  heaven, 
Who  unto  man  His  Son  hath  given ! 
While  angels  sing  with  pious  mirth 
A  glad  Xew  Year  to  all  the  earth. 


Vom  Himmel  kam  der  Engel  Schaar. 

(Massie,  "Spiritual  Songs,"  p.  7.) 

To  shepherds,  as  they  watched  by  night, 
Appeared  a  troop  of  angels  bright ; 
Behold  the  tender  Babe,  they  said, 
In  yonder  lowly  manger  laid. 


40  CHRISTMAS. 


At  Bethlehem,  in  David's  town, 
As  Micah  did  of  old  make  known ; 
'Tis  Jesus  Christ,  your  Lord  and  King, 
Who  doth  to  all  salvation  bring. 

Rejoice  ye,  then,  that  through  His  Son 
God  is  with  sinners  now  at  one ; 
Made  like  yourselves  of  flesh  and  blood, 
Your  brother  is  th'  eternal  Good. 

What  harm  can  sin  and  death  then  do  ? 
The  true  God  now  abides  with  you : 
Let  Hell  and  Satan  chide  and  chafe, 
God  is  your  fellow — ye  are  safe. 

Not  one  He  will  nor  can  forsake 
Who  Him  his  confidence  doth  make : 
Let  all  his  wiles  the  Tempter  try, 
You  may  his  utmost  powers  defy. 

You  must  prevail  at  last,  for  ye 
Are  now  become  God's  family : 
To  God  forever  give  ye  praise, 
Patient  and  cheerful  all  your  days. 


CHRISTUM  WIR  SOLLEN  LOBEN  SCHON.      41 
Christum  wir  sollen  loben  schon. 

(From  the  Latin,  "  A  solis  ortus.")  (Massie,  "  Spiritual  Songs,"  p.  9.) 

Now  praise  we  Christ,  the  Holy  One, 
The  spotless  virgin  Mary's  Son, 
Far  as  the  blessed  sun  doth  shine, 
E'en  to  the  world's  remote  confine. 

He,  who  Himself  all  things  did  make, 
A  servant's  form  vouchsafed  to  take, 
That  He  as  man  mankind  might  win, 
And  save  His  creatures  from  their  sin. 

The  grace  of  God  th'  Almighty  Lord 
On  the  chaste  mother  was  outpoured ; 
A  virgin  pure  and  undefiled 
In  wondrous  wise  conceived  a  child. 

The  holy  maid  became  th'  abode 
And  temple  of  the  living  God, 
And  she,  who  knew  not  man,  was  blest 
With  God's  own  Word  made  manifest. 

The  noble  mother  bare  a  Son, 
For  so  did  Gabriel's  promise  run, 
Whom  John  confest  and  leapt  with  joy, 
Ere  yet  the  mother  knew  her  boy. 


42  CHRISTMAS. 


In  a  rude  manger,  stretched  on  hajr, 
In  povert}^  content  He  lay ; 
With  milk  was  fed  the  Lord  of  all, 
Who  feeds  the  ravens  when  they  call. 

Th'  angelic  choir  rejoice,  and  raise 
Their  voice  to  God  in  songs  of  praise ; 
To  humble  shepherds  is  proclaimed 
The  Shepherd,  who  the  world  hath  framed. 

Honor  to  Thee,  0  Christ,  be  paid, 
Pure  offspring  of  a  holy  maid, 
With  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost, 
Till  time  in  time's  abyss  be  lost. 


Gelobet  seist  du,  Jesu  Christ. 

(Massie,  "Spiritual  Songs,"  p.  11.) 

All  praise  to  Jesus'  hallowed  name, 
Who  of  virgin  pure  became 
True  man  for  us  !     The  angels  sing, 
As  the  glad  news  to  earth  they  bring, 
Hallelujah  ! 


GELOBET  SEIST  DU,  JESU  CHRIST.  43 

The  everlasting  Father's  Son 
For  a  manger  leaves  His  throne ; 
The  mighty  God,  th'  eternal  Good, 
Hath  clothed  Himself  in  flesh  and  blood. 
Hallelujah  ! 

He  whom  the  world  could  not  inwrap 
Yonder  lies  in  Mary's  lap  ; 
He  is  become  an  infant  small, 
Who  by  His  might  upholdeth  all. 
Hallelujah  ! 

Th'  eternal  Light,  come  down  from  heaven, 
Hath  to  us  new  sunshine  given ; 
It  shineth  in  the  midst  of  night, 
And  maketh  us  the  sons  of  light. 
Hallelujah  ! 

The  Father's  Son,  God  everblest, 
In  the  world  became  a  guest ; 
He  leads  us  from  this  vale  of  tears, 
And  makes  us  in  His  kingdom  heirs. 
Hallelujah  ! 


44  CHRISTMAS. 


He  came  to  earth  so  mean  and  poor, 
Man  to  pity  and  restore, 
And  make  us  rich  in  heaven  above, 
Equal  with  angels  through  His  love. 
Hallelujah ! 

All  this  He  did  to  show  His  grace 
To  our  poor  and  sinful  race ; 
For  this  let  Christendom  adore 
And  praise  His  nam    for  evermore. 
Hallelujah ! 


(J.  C.  Jacobi,  "  Psalraodia  Germanica,"  I,  p.  6.) 

Due  praises  to  th'  incarnate  Love, 
Manifested  from  above ! 
All  men  and  angels  now  adore 
What  we  nor  they  have  seen  before. 
Hallelujah ! 

The  blessed  Father's  only  Son 
Chose  a  manger  for  His  throne : 
In  this  our  nature's  flesh  and  blood 
Was  clothed  God  the  eternal  Good. 
Hallelujah  ! 


GELOBET  SEIST  DU,  JESU  CHRIST.  45 

Who  had  the  world  at  His  command 
Wants  his  mother's  swaddling-band ; 
TV  Almighty  Word  vouchsafed  to  be 
A  little  child  like  thee  and  me. 
Hallelujah  ! 

TV  eternal  Splendor  shows  His  sight, 
Gives  the  world  its  saving  light, 
And  drives  the  clouds  of  sin  away, 
To  make  us  children  of  the  day. 
Hallelujah ! 

The  Father's  Son,  by  nature  God, 
Took  amongst  us  His  abode, 
And  opened  through  this  world  of  strife 
A  way  to  everlasting  life. 

Hallelujah ! 

In  poverty  He  came  on  earth 
To  enrich  us  by  His  birth, 
And  make  us  heirs  of  endless  bliss, 
Like  all  the  darling  saints  of  his. 
Hallelujah ! 


46 


CHRISTMAS. 


All  this  was  done  that  He  might  prove 
What 's  the  greatness  of  his  love  ; 
Which  makes  all  Christians  join  to  sing 
Praise  to  our  new-born  God  and  King. 
Hallelujah ! 


piping. 


Was  furcht'st  du  Feind  Herodes  sehr. 

This  hymn  is  from  the  Latin  of  Coelius  Sedulus, 
"  Hostis  Herodes  impie." 

(Massie,  "Spiritual  Songa,"  p.  13.; 

Why,  Herod,  unrelenting  foe, 
Doth  the  Lord's  coming  move  thee  so  ? 
He  doth  no  earthly  kingdom  seek 
Who  brings  His  kingdom  to  the  meek. 

Led  by  the  star,  the  wise  men  find 
The  Light  that  lightens  all  mankind ; 
The  threefold  presents  which  they  bring 
Declare  him  God,  and  Man,  and  King. 

In  Jordan's  sacred  waters  stood 

The  meek  and  heavenly  Lamb  of  God, 

And  He  who  did  no  sin,  thereby 

Cleansed  us  from  all  iniquity  ! 

(47) 


48  EPIPHANY. 


And  now  a  miracle  was  done : 
Six  waterpots  stood  there  of  stone ; 
Christ  spake  the  word  with  power  divine, 
The  water  reddened  into  wine. 

All  honor  unto  Christ  be  paid, 
Pure  offspring  of  the  holy  maid, 
With  Father  and  with  Holy  Ghost, 
Till  time  in  endless  time  be  lost. 


astcx. 


Jesus  Christus  unser  Heiland  der  den  Tod. 

(Massie,  "  Spiritual  Songs,"  p.  15.) 

Jesus  Christ  to-da}T  is  risen, 

And  o'er  Death  triumphant  reigns  ; 

He  has  burst  the  grave's  strong  prison, 
Leading  Sin  herself  in  chains. 
K}Trie  eleison. 

For  our  sins  the  sinless  Saviour 
Bare  the  heavy  wrath  of  God  ; 

Reconciling  us,  that  favor 

Might  be  shown  us  through  His  blood. 
Kyrie  eleison. 

In  His  hands  He  hath  forever 

Merc}r,  life,  and  sin,  and  death ; 
Christ  his  people  can  deliver, 
All  who  come  to  Him  in  faith. 
K}Tie  eleison. 

4  (  49  ) 


50  EASTER. 


Christ  lag  in  Todesbanden. 

This  hymn  is  based  upon  a  Latin  hymn  of  the 
fifteenth  century,  "  Surrexit  Christus  hodie"  (Dan- 
iel I,  341 ;  and  Waekernagel  I,  175—1 77,  who  gives 
five  forms) ;  also  upon  an  old  Easter  hymn,  "  Christ 
ist  erstanden." 

(C.  Winkworth,  "  Lyra  Gerraanica,"  I,  p.  87.) 

In  the  bonds  of  death  He  la}T, 

Who  for  our  offence  was  slain, 
But  the  Lord  is  risen  to-day, 

Christ  has  brought  us  life  again  ; 
Wherefore  let  us  all  rejoice, 
Singing  loud,  with  cheerful  voice, 
Hallelujah  ! 

Of  the  sons  of  men  was  none 

Who  could  break  the  bonds  of  death ; 

Sin  this  mischief  dire  had  done, 
Innocent  was  none  on  earth  ; 

Wherefore  Death  grew  strong  and  bold, 

Would  all  men  in  his  prison  hold, 
Hallelujah  ! 


CHRIST  LAG  IN  TODESBANDEN.  51 

Jesus  Christ,  God's  only  Son, 

Came  at  last  our  foe  to  smite  ; 
All  our  sins  away  bath  done, 

Done  awajT  Death's  power  and  right ; 
Only  the  form  of  Death  is  left, 
Of  his  sting  he  is  bereft, 

Hallelujah  ! 

That  was  a  wondrous  war  I  trow, 

When  Life  and  Death  together  fought ; 

But  Life  hath  triumphed  o'er  his  foe, 
Death  is  mocked  and  set  at  nought ; 

'Tis  even  as  the  Scripture  saith, 

Christ  through  death  has  conquered  Death, 
Hallelujah  ! 

The  rightful  paschal  lamb  is  He, 
On  whom  alone  we  all  must  live. 

Who  to  death  upon  the  tree 

Himself  in  wondrous  love  did  sfive. 

Faith  strikes  His  blood  upon  the  door, 

Death  sees,  and  dares  not  harm  us  more : 
Hallelujah  ! 


52  EASTER. 


Let  us  keep  high  festival, 

On  this  most  blessed  clay  of  days, 
When  God  his  mercy  showed  to  all ! 

Our  Sun  is  risen  with  brightest  rays, 
And  our  dark  hearts  rejoice  to  see 
Sin  and  night  before  Him  flee : 
Hallelujah ! 

To  the  Supper  of  the  Lord 
Gladly  will  we  come  to-day ; 

The  word  of  peace  is  now  restored, 
The  old  leaven  is  put  away. 

Christ  will  be  our  food  alone, 

Faith  no  life  but  His  doth  own : 
Hallelujah  ! 


(J.  C.  Jacobi,  "  Psalmodia  Germanica,"  T,  p.  21.) 

Christ  was  to  death  abased, 

And  given  for  our  transgression  ; 

But  by  His  being  raised 

Regained  us  life's  possession. 


CHRIST  LAG  IN  TODESBANDEN.  53 

This  should  make  our  souls  rejoice 
To  praise  the  Lord  with  heart  and  voice 
In  singing  hallelujah. 

Hallelujah ! 

None  yet  was  found  of  Adam's  race 

Could  conquer  Hell  and  Devil ; 
Sin  had  defaced  the  former  grace, 

None  innocent,  but  evil ; 
Death  was  thus  entailed  on  all, 
Which  got  dominion  by  the  fall, 

And  kept  us  in  his  bondage. 
Hallelujah ! 

But  Jesus,  God's  eternal  Son, 

Is  come  for  our  salvation, 
The  cause  of  death  He  has  undone. 

And  stopped  its  devastation ; 
Ruined  all  his  right  and  claim, 
And  left  him  nothing  but  the  name, — 

His  sting  is  lost  forever. 

Hallelujah ! 

How  strange  and  wondrous  was  this  fray ! 
Life  was  with  Death  surrounded ; 


54  EASTER. 


The  Lord  of  life  here  got  the  day, 
Death's  kingdom  was  confounded. 

This  the  Scripture  doth  record, 

That  Death  was  conquered  with  his  sword, 
And  led  at  last  in  triumph. 
Hallelujah! 

Here  is  the  very  paschal  Lamb 

By  God  himself  appointed ; 
The  prophets  have  foretold  the  same, 

That  this  was  the  Anointed. 
With  His  blood  our  heart  is  signed, 
No  fear  of  death  disturbs  our  mind, 

Subdued  in  that  destroyer. 
Hallelujah ! 

This  the  day  the  Lord  has  made 

For  our  ejaculation  ; 
Let  heaven  rejoice,  let  earth  be  glad, 

To  praise  His  exaltation  ; 
He  dispels  the  clouds  of  sin, 
His  merit  cleanses  all  within, 

We  are  removed  from  darkness. 
Hallelujah ! 


CHRIST  LAG  IN  TODESBANDEN. 


55 


The  bread  of  life  we  feed  upon 

Is  Christ,  forever  living  ; 
The  leaven  of  sin  must  be  undone 

By  grace,  which  He  is  giving ; 
Faith  desires  no  other  food 
But  our  Redeemer's  flesh  and  blood: 

Blest  be  His  name  forever  ! 
Hallelujah  1 


^  i  t  s  u  it  t  i  &  c. 


Komm  Heiliger  Geist,  Herre  Gott. 

This  hymn  has  an  abundant  history  of  its  own. 
Says  Mr.  Kiibler  {Historical  Notes  to  the  Lyra  Ger- 
manica,  London,  1865):  "This  is  Luther's  amplifi- 
cation of  an  old  German  version  of  the  Latin  Anti- 
phona  de  Spiritu  Sancto  ( Veni  Sancte  Spiritus). 
Luther  added  two  verses  to  the  one  which  he  already 
found  in  use,  and  his  hymn,  with  its  old  tune,  was 
first  published  in  1524.  It  spread  rapidly  among 
the  common  people  ;  in  proof  of  which  the  fact  may 
be  adduced,  that  in  the  Peasants'  War  it  was  sung 
by  the  fanatical  peasants  at  the  bloody  battle  of 
Frankenhausen,  in  the  year  1526 ;  for  when  the 
Landgrave  Philip  of  Hesse  gave  the  signal  for  the 
attack  against  them,  the  peasants  remained  un- 
moved, neither  retreating  nor  defending  themselves, 
but  waiting  for  the  miraculous  help  of  God,  which 
their  leader,  Thomas  Miinzer,  had  predicted ;  they 
began  to  sing  this  pentecostal  hymn,  and  continued 


KOMM  HEILIGER  GEIST,  HERRE  GOTT.      57 

singing  until  fifty  thousand  of  them  were  slain  and 
the  rest  dispersed. 

"When  Leonhard  Kayser,  on  account  of  his  Ev- 
angelical preaching,  was  burned  alive  in  Passau  on 
the  16th  August,  1527,  he  asked  the  people  to  sing 
this  hymn  while  he  was  tied  to  the  stake.  This  they 
did,  and  when  the  flames  rose  high,  he  was  heard 
several  times  to  call,  '  Jesu,  I  am  thine  ;  save  me !'  " 
And  so  he  died.  It  has  since  often  been  used  by 
ministers  of  the  Gospel,  not  only  in  their  preaching, 
but  also  on  their  clying  beds.  In  many  churches  it 
was  the  standing  hymn  at  the  opening  of  divine 
service.  A  family  in  Silesia  sang  it  during  a  fearful 
storm  in  1535,  when  the  roof  of  their  house  was 
blown  away,  but  they  themselves  escaped  without 
any  injuries.  The  wife  of  the  celebrated  Frederic 
Perthes  in  Hamburg,  the  daughter  of  Matthias 
Claudius,  wrote  to  her  son,  who  was  studying  at 
the  University,  on  his  birthday:  "  My  most  earnest 
birthday  wish  and  prayer  for  you  is — 

"  '  Thou  strong  Defence,  thou  holy  Light, 
Teach  him  to  know  our  God  aright, 
And  call  him  Father  from  the  heart  : 
The  Word  of  Life  and  Truth  impart, 
That  he  may  love  not  doctrines  strange, 
Nor  e'er  to  other  teachers  range ; 
But  Jesus  for  his  Master  own, 
And  put  his  trust  in  Him  alone.' 


58  WHITSUNTIDE. 


"  My  beloved  child,  may  God  fulfil  this  prayer  to 
you  I" 

Luther's  hymn  first  appeared  in  the  Erfurt  En- 
chiridion of  1524,  where  it  has  this  title:  "Here 
follows  the  hymn,  Veni  Sancte  Spiritus,  sung  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  very  useful  and  good."  It  was  admit- 
ted into  the  Roman  Catholic  collection  of  M.  Yehe, 
1537. 


FIRST    VERSION. 

Undoubtedly  the  first  translations  from  German 
into  English,  as  almost  or  quite  the  first  hyranic 
provision  in  our  language,  were  made  by  Myles 
Goverdale  (1488  ?-1569),  Bishop  of  Exeter  in  1551, 
one  of  the  earliest  translators  of  the  Bible,  and  a 
prominent  Reformer.  His  Goostly  Psalmes  and 
Spirituall  Songes,  forty  in  number,  appeared  before 
1539  ;  a  copy  is  preserved  in  the  library  of  Queen's 
College,  Oxford,  and  they  are  reprinted  in  his  "  Re- 
mains," published  by  the  Parker  Society  in  1846. 
The  first  three  are  addressed  "To  the  Holy  Goost," 
and  two  of  them  are  from  Luther.  "  They  are  here 
given  accurately,"  say  the  editors  of  the  Songs  of 
the  Spirit,  "  even  to  the  rude  antique  spelling,  as 
memorials  of  a  time  when  '  the  rules  of  religion,' 
though  '  strict,'  were  matters  of  fierce  debate,  but 
'  orthography  was  optional.'  " 


KOMM  HEILIOER  GEIST,  HERRE  GOTT.     59 

Come,  Holy  Spirite,  most  blessed  Lorde, 

Fulfyl  our  hartes  no  we  with  Thy  grace  ; 
And  make  our  myndes  of  one  accorde, 

Kyndle  them  with  love  in  every  place 
O  Lorde,  Thou  forgevest  our  trespace, 

And  callest  the  folke  of  every  countre 
To  thy  ryght  fayth  and  truste  of  Thy  grace, 

That  they  may  geve  thankes  and  synge  to  Thee. 
Alleluya,  Alleluya ! 

0  holy  Lyght,  moste  principall, 

The  Worde  of  Lyfe  shewe  unto  us ; 
And  cause  us  to  knowe  God  over  all 

For  our  owne  Father  moste  gracious. 
Lorde,  kepe  us  from  lernyng  venymous, 

That  we  folowe  no  masters  but  Christe. 
He  is  the  Verite,  His  Worde  sayth  thus ; 

Cause  us  to  set  in  Hym  our  truste. 
Alleluya,  Alleluya! 

O  holy  Fyre,  and  comforth  moste  swete, 
Fyll  our  hertes  with  fayth  and  boldnesse, 

To  abyde  by  The  in  colde  and  hete, 
Contente  to  suffre  for  rvahteousnesse : 


60  WHITSUNTIDE. 


O  Lord,  geve  strength  to  our  weaknesse, 

And  send  us  helpe  every  houre, 
That  we  may  overcome  all  wyckednesse, 

And  brynge  this  olde  Adam  under  Thy  power. 
Alleluya,  Alleluj^a ! 


SECOND    VERSION. 

From  that  rare  and  important  volume,  Psalmodia 
Germanica,  or  The  German  Psalmody.  Translated 
from  the  High  German  by  John  Christian  Jacobi, 
1722.  A  supplement  was  added  in  1725;  the  second 
edition,  with  supplement  1732,  reprinted  by  John 
Haberkorn  with  a  supplement  of  his  own,  1760  ;  the 
second  edition  of  this,  1765.  There  is  also  a  very 
rare  reprint  by  Hugh  Gaine,  New  York,  1756,  1C  with 
which,"  says  good  Dr.  Kunze,  Lutheran  pastor  there 
in  1795,  "many  serious  English  persons  have  been 
greatly  delighted."  Jacobi  was,  indeed,  except  John 
Wesley,  the  only  respectable  translator  from  the 
German  prior  to  our  time ;  though  far  from  a  great 
poet,  he  is  several  steps  above  his  Moravian  succes- 
sors. He  rendered  ninety-four  hymns,  and  Haber- 
korn, who  is  inferior  to  him,  thii^-three.  Jacobi 
seems  to  have  been  Lutheran  or  Reformed  rather 
than  Moravian ;  but  nothing  is  known  about  him. 


KG  MM  HEILIGER  GEIST,  HERRE  GOTT.      61 

Come,  Holy  Ghost !  come,  Lord  our  God  ! 
Spread  faith  and  love  divine  abroad, 
And  fill  Thy  longing  people's  minds 
With  precious  gifts  of  sundry  kinds. 
O  Lord,  who  by  Thy  heavenly  light 
Hast  called  Thy  Church  from  sinful  night, 
Out  of  all  nations,  tribes,  and  tongues, 
Thy  praise  shall  make  our  choicest  songs. 
Hallelujah !  Hallelujah ! 

Thou  Light  of  glory,  gracious  Lord ! 
Revive  us  by  Thy  hoi}7  Word, 
And  teach  Th}T  flock  in  truth  to  call 
On  Thee,  the  Father  of  us  all. 
Delusive  errors  far  remove, 
And  guide  us  always  b}^  that  love 
Which,  keeping  close  to  Jesus'  path, 
Rejects  all  other  guides  of  faith. 
Hallelujah  ! 

Thou  great  Dispenser  of  that  love 
Which  sent  Redemption  from  above, 
0  grant  us  faith  and  constancy 
To  conquer  sin,  and  yield  to  Thee. 


(52  WHITSUNTIDE. 


O  Lord,  by  Thine  almighty  grace 
Prepare  us  so  to  run  our  race 
That  we,  from  bonds  of  sin  kept  free, 
May  gain  a  blest  eternity. 

Hallelujah ! 


THIRD    VERSION. 

From  a  collection  of  Psalms  and  Hymns  published 
by  him  in  1851 :  an  important  book,  made  up  largely 
of  originals  and  translations  from  the  German. 

By  Arthur  Tozer  Russel,  then  Vicar  of  Caxton. 

Blest  Comforter,  come,  Lord  our  God, 
And  pour  Thy  gifts  of  grace  abroad ; 
Thy  faithful  people  fill  with  blessing, 
Love's  fire  their  hearts  possessing. 
O  Lord,  Thou  by  Tlry  heavenly  light 
Dost  gather  and  in  faith  unite 
Through  all  the  world  a  holy  nation, 
To  sing  to  Thee  with  exultation, 

Hallelujah!  Hallelujah! 

0  holiest  Light !  Rock  adored ! 
Give  us  Thy  light,  Thy  living  word, 


KOMM  HEILIGER  GEIST,  HERRE  GOTT.      g3 

To  God  himself  our  spirits  leading, 
With  Him  as  children  pleading. 
From  error,  Lord,  our  souls  defend, 
That  they  on  Christ  alone  attend; 
In  Him  with  faith  unfeigned  abiding, 
In  Him  with  all  their  might  confiding. 
Hallelujah!  Hallelujah! 

0  holiest  Fire  !  Source  of  rest ! 
Grant  that  with  joy  and  hope  possest, 
And  in  Thy  service  kept  forever, 
Naught  us  from  Thee  may  sever. 
Lord,  may  Thy  power  prepare  each  heart; 
To  our  weak  nature  strength  impart, 
That  we  may,  firmly  here  contending, 
To  Thee  be  daily  hence  ascending. 

Hallelujah!  Hallelujah! 


FOURTH    VERSION. 

By  Miss  Catharine  Winkworth.    From  "Lyra  Germanica,"  I,  p.  117. 
Boston,  1864. 

Come,  Holy  Spirit,  God  and  Lord ! 
Be  all  Thy  graces  now  outpoured 
On  the  believer's  mind  and  soul, 
And  touch  our  hearts  with  living  coal. 


64  WHITSUNTIDE. 


Thy  light  this  clay  shone  forth  so  clear, 
All  tongues  and  nations  gathered  near 
To  learn  that  faith  for  which  we  bring 
Glad  praise  to  Thee,  and  loudly  sing, 

Hallelujah!  Hallelujah! 

Thou  strong  Defence  !  Thou  holy  Light ! 
Teach  us  to  know  our  God  aright, 
And  call  him  Father  from  the  heart ; 
The  word  of  life  and  truth  impart, 
That  we  may  love  not  doctrines  strange, 
Nor  e'er  to  other  teachers  range, 
But  Jesus  for  our  Master  own, 
And  put  our  trust  in  Him  alone. 
Hallelujah  ! 

Thou  sacred  Ardor,  Comfort  sweet, 
Help  us  to  wait  with  ready  feet 
And  willing  heart  at  Thy  command, 
Nor  trial  fright  us  from  Thy  band. 
Lord,  make  us  ready  with  Thy  powers  ; 
Strengthen  the  flesh  in  weaker  hours, 
That  as  good  warriors  we  may  force 
Through  life  and  death  to  Thee  our  course ! 
Hallelujah  ! 


KOMM  HEILIGER  GEIST,  HERRE  GOTT.      65 


FIFTH    VERSION. 

By  Richard  Massie,  Esq.    From  Martin  Luther's  "  Spiritual  Songs. 
London,  1854. 

Come,  Holy  Ghost,  Lord  God,  fulfil 
With  Thy  rich  grace,  heart,  mind  and  will, 
And  each  believing  soul  inspire 
With  Thine  own  pure  and  holy  fire. 
Lord,  by  the  brightness  of  Thy  light, 
Thou  in  the  faith  dost  men  unite 
Of  every  land  and  every  tongue ; 
This  to  Thy  praise,  0  Lord,  be  sung, 
Hallelujah!  Hallelujah! 

Thou  holy  Light  and  Guide  divine, 
Oh  cause  the  word  of  life  to  shine ; 
Teach  us  to  know  our  God  aright, 
And  call  him  Father  with  delight. 
Keep  us,  0  Lord,  from  all  strange  lore, 
That  we  may  seek  no  masters  more, 
But  with  true  faith  in  Christ  abide, 
And  heartily  in  Him  confide. 

Hallelujah!  Hallelujah! 
5 


66  WHITSUNTIDE. 


Sweet  source  of  comfort,  holy  Love, 
Send  us  Thy  succor  from  above, 
That  in  Thy  service  we  may  stay, 
And  trouble  drive  us  not  away. 
Lord,  with  Thy  grace  our  souls  refresh, 
Confirm  our  frail  and  feeble  flesh, 
That  we  through  life  and  death  to  Thee 
May  press  with  Christian  chivalry. 

Hallelujah!  Hallelujah! 


SIXTH    VERSION. 

By  Henry  Mills.    From  "  Horse  Germanicae."    New  York,  1856. 

Come,  Holy  Ghost,  rule  Thou  within ! 
'Tis  Thine  by  grace  our  souls  to  win ; 
Inspire  with  sacred  joy  the  spirit 
Of  all  who  trust  Thy  word  and  fear  it. 
Thy  light  and  truth  hast  Thou  sent  forth, 
From  east  to  west,  from  south  to  north, 
To  bring,  from  every  tongue  and  nation, 
A  host  to  sing  the  great  salvation. 

Hallelujah!  Hallelujah! 


KOMM  GOTT,  SCHOEPFER,  HEILIGER  GEIST.       ffl 

Thou  holv  Light  of  truth  divine, 
From  God's  own  word  }Tet  brighter  shine, 
That  we  thereby  may  better  know  Him, 
And  pay  the  love  His  children  owe  Him. 
Thy  teaching  would  we  gladly  learn, 
And  ever  to  another  turn, 
Our  souls  to  Christ  alone  confiding, 
In  Him,  who  is  our  life,  abiding. 

Hallelujah !  Hallelujah ! 

Thou  hoty  Portion,  and  our  Rest, 
Help  us,  that,  with  Thy  comfort  bless'd, 
By  troubles  taught  to  prize  thy  favor, 
TVe  may  rejoice  in  Thee  forever ! 
Ify  strength  of  Thine  our  weakness  raise, 
That,  living,  we  ma}^  live  Tlry  praise, 
And,  all  the  host  of  evil  routing, 
In  death  may  triumph,  fearless  shouting — 
Hallelujah!  Hallelujah! 


Komm  Gott,  Schoepfer,  Heiliger  Geist. 

This  hymn  is  a  translation  of  the  old  "  Yeni  Crea- 
tor Spiritus,"  the  authorship  of  which  is  commonly 
attributed  to  Charlemagne,  who  died  in  the  year  814. 


68  WHITSUNTIDE. 


Some  ascribe  it  to  St.  Ambrose,  the  Doctor  Melli- 
fluus  et  31ellitissimus  of  the  fourth  century,  while 
others  would  ascribe  it  to  Gregory  the  Great,  of  the 
sixth  century.  But,  says  Mr.  Benedict  very  truly 
(  The  Hymn  of  Hildebert  and  other  Mediseval  Hymns, 
New  York,  1867),  "except  as  a  matter  of  literary 
history,  it  is  of  little  importance  who  was  the  author. 
The  merit  of  the  hymn  is  in  itself  alone.  Its  com- 
prehensiveness and  brevity,  its  simplicity  and  beauty, 
its  gentle  spirit  of  trust  and  devotion,  and  its  earnest 
directness  of  expression,  mark  it  as  the  production 
of  a  great  and  practiced  writer  and  a  devout  Chris- 
tian, studiously  familiar  with  the  Scriptures  and 
with  theological  truth,  rather  than  of  a  proud  mon- 
arch and  a  great  soldier."  Luther's  rendering,  which 
is  tolerably  close  of  the  original,  was  admitted  into 
the  Romanist  collection  of  Joh.  Leisenritt,  1567. 
The  version  which  we  subjoin  is  by  R.  Massie,  1854. 

Creator,  Spirit,  holy  Dove, 
Visit  Thy  people  from  above ; 
Fill  them  with  graces,  and  restore 
Thy  creatures  as  they  were  before. 

For  Comforter  is  Thy  sweet  name, 
A  gift  which  from  the  Highest  came, 
A  ghostly  Ointment  from  above, 
A  living  Fount,  a  fire  of  Love. 


KOMM  GOTT,  SCHOEPFER,  HEILIGER  GE1ST.       go, 

Our  minds  enlighten,  and  inspire 
Our  souls  with  love's  celestial  fire ; 
And  since  Thou  know'st  how  frail  we  be, 
Confirm  and  make  us  strong  in  Thee. 

Thou,  with  Thy  graces'  sevenfold  band, 
The  Finger*  art  on  God's  right  hand  ; 
Thou  dost  the  Father's  promise  send 
With  tongues  to  earth's  remotest  end. 

Drive  far  away  our  wily  foe, 
And  by  Thy  grace  sweet  peace  bestow ; 
That  in  Thy  footsteps  we  may  run, 
And  soul-destroying  mischief  shun. 

Let  us  by  Thee  the  Father  know, 
His  Son,  Christ  Jesus,  also  show, 
That,  full  of  faith,  we  may  know  Thee, 
Derived  from  both  eternally. 


*  Trench,  in  his  Sacred  Latin  Poetry,  p.  184,  says:  "  The 
title  digitus  Dei  (finger  of  the  Lord),  so  often  given  to  the 
Holy  Ghost,  rests  originally  on  a  comparison  of  Luke  11  :  20, 
si  in  digito  Dei  ejicio  dcemonia,  with  Matt.  12  :  28,  si  autem  ego 
in  Spiritu  Dei  ejicio  dcemonia,  where  evidently  the  digitus  Dei 
of  Luke  is  equivalent  to  the  Spiritus  Dei  of  Matthew." 


70  WHITSUNTIDE. 


To  God  the  Father,  and  the  Son, 
Who  rose  again,  be  honor  done, 
With  Him,  who  came  at  Pentecost, 
The  Comforter,  the  Holy  Ghost. 


Nun  bitten  wir  den  Heiligen  Geist. 

This  hymn  was  first  printed  in  John  Walther's 
Hymn-Book,  1524.  The  first  verse  is  very  old.  A 
Franciscan  monk,  Berthold  of  Ratisbon,  about  A.D. 
1250,  in  one  of  his  sermons,  gives  the  text  of  it,  and 
exhorts  his  hearers  to  sing  it  often  and  heartily. 
That  verse  is  attributed,  says  Miss  Winkworth 
{Christian  Singers  of  Germany,  1869),  to  Spervogel, 
a  priest  and  favorite  sacred  poet  of  the  twelfth  cen- 
tury. Other  verses,  having  some  resemblance  to 
Luther's,  appeared  in  Romanist  books  a  few  }ears 
after  the  publication  of  his  hymn,  but  there  is  no 
evidence  that  they  are  old.  Luther's  hymn  was 
translated  into  Latin  by  Reinhart  Lorich  in  1550, 
and  into  Tamil  by  Ziegenbalg  in  1723. 

The  hymn  was  once  used  under  very  peculiar  cir- 
cumstances, whereof  the  tale  is  told  Iry  Pastor  Hei- 
berg  in  his  account  of  Peter  Palladius,  the  First 
Evangelical  Bishop  of  Seeland :  see  Karl  Heinrich's 
Erzdhlungen  uber  Evang.  Kirchenlieder. 


NUN  BITTEN  WIR  DEN  HEILIGEN  GEIST    71 

» 

"In  the  earlier  part  of  the  sixteenth  century,  on 
the  day  preceding  the  festival  of  the  Annunciation 
of  the  Virgin,  about  eighty  fishermen  were  on  the 
ice  between  Copenhagen  and  the  island  of  Saltholm 
catching  eels,  when  the  ice  gave  way  and  broke  up. 
The}7  were  carried  along  by  the  current,  parted  from 
each  other,  and  in  the  end  nearly  thirty  of  them 
drowned.  While  thej7  were  still  near  together,  one 
of  them,  Hans  Vensen,  who  had  been  a  pupil  of 
Bishop  Palladius,  called  out  to  the  rest,  'Dear  breth- 
ren, let  us  not  fall  into  despair  because  we  shall  lose 
our  lives  ;  but  let  us  prove  hy  our  conduct  that  we 
have  been  hearers  of  God's  Word.'  Whereupon 
they  sang  together  Nun  bitten  wir  den  Heiligen  Geist. 
and  after  it  the  hymn  of  the  dying,  Mil  Fried  und 
Freud  ich  fahr  dahin,  Luther's  metrical  version  of 
Nunc  Dimittis.  When  they  had  done  singing,  they 
fell  on  their  knees,  the  water  reaching  their  breasts, 
and  prayed  that  God  would  grant  them  a  happj' 
death."  (Songs  of  the  Spirit,  p.  236.)  Our  version 
is  that  by  R.  Massie,  from  Luther's  Spiritual  Songs. 
1854. 

Xow  crave  we  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
What  of  all  things  we  need  the  most, 
True  faith  in  Christ,  when  life  is  ending, 
And  from  this  grief  we  home  be  wending. 
Kyrie  eleison. 


72  WHITSUNTIDE. 


Shine  in  our  hearts,  Thou  worthy  Light, 
And  teach  us  Christ  to  know  aright ; 
Abiding  in  Thee,  whose  faithful  hand 
Hath  brought  us  safe  to  our  Fatherland. 
Kyrie  eleison. 

Grant  us  Thy  favor,  heavenly  Dove, 
And  let  us  feel  the  glow  of  love, 
That  we  may  live  with  one  another 
As  brother  ought  to  live  with  brother. 
Kyrie  eleison. 

O  Thou  who  hast  so  sweet  a  name, 
Keep  us  from  fear  of  death  and  shame, 
Nor  comfort  in  the  hour  refuse  us 
When  Sin  and  Satan  will  accuse  us. 
Kvrie  eleison. 


b0t   ©rrnitg. 


Der  du  bist  drei  in  Einigkeit. 

(Mills,  "Horae  Germanics,"  p.  223.) 

Thou  only  God,  the  Three  in  One, 
Eternal  is  Thy  shining  throne  ; 
The  Sun  on  us  forbears  to  shine, 
0  cheer  our  souls  with  light  divine ! 

At  morn  to  Thee  we  offered  praise, 
With  thanks  our  evening  song  we  raise,- 
For  all  Thy  love  would  honor  Thee 
Xow,  onward,  through  eternity. 


Our  Father,  praise  to  Thee  we  give ; 
Thou  Son  of  God,  our  praise  receive ! 
Thou  Holy  Ghost,  we  grace  implore 
To  praise  our  God  for  evermore. 

(  73) 


74  THE  TRINITY. 


Gott  der  Vatei  wohn  uns  bei. 

("Lyra  Domestica,"  p.  111.) 

Our  God,  our  Father,  with  us  stay, 
And  make  us  keep  Thy  narrow  way; 
Free  us  from  sin  and  all  its  power ; 
Give  us  a  joyful  dying  hour. 
Deliver  us  from  Satan's  arts, 

And  let  us  build  our  hopes  on  Thee, 
Down  in  our  very  heart  of  hearts ! 

0  God,  ma}7  we  true  servants  be, 

And  serve  Thee  ever  perfectly. 
Help  us,  with  all  Thy  children  here, 
To  fight  and  flee  with  holy  fear ; 
Flee  from  temptation,  and  to  fight 
With  Thine  own  weapons  for  the  right. 

Amen,  amen,  so  let  it  be ! 

So  shall  we  ever  sing  to  Thee, 
Hallelujah ! 

Jesus  Christ,  be  Thou  our  stay,  etc.,  etc. 

Holy  Ghost,  be  Thou  our  stay,  etc.,  etc. 


GOTT  DER  VATER   WORN  UNS  BEL  75 


(J.  C.  Jacobi,  "  Psalmodia  Germanica,"  I,  p.  27.) 

God  the  Father,  our  Defence, 
0  save  us  from  damnation  ; 

All  transgressions  take  from  hence, 
And  grant  us  TLry  salvation. 

Guard  us  from  the  Tempter's  snare 
Within  Thy  own  protection, 
That  under  Thy  direction 
Our  faith  ma}'  'scape  infection. 

We  rely  upon  Thy  care, 
With  all  Thy  well  beloved 
Thy  grace  be  thus  improved, 
That  we  may  ne'er  be  moved. 

Amen,  amen,  be  the  word  ! 

So  shall  we  truly  praise  the  Lord. 

Lord  Christ  Jesus,  our  Defence, 
0  save  us,  etc.,  etc. 


Blessed  Spirit,  our  Defence, 
0  save  us,  etc.,  etc. 


CONCERNING   THE    HOLY    CHRISTIAN   CHURCH. 

Rev.  12  : 1-6. 


Sie  ist  mir  lieb  die  werthe  Magd. 

(R.  Massie,  "Spiritual  Songs,"  p.  27.) 

Dear  is  to  me  the  holy  Maid, — 

I  never  can  forget  her ; 
For  glorious  things  of  her  are  said ; 
Than  life  I  love  her  better : 
So  dear  and  good, 
That  if  I  should 
Afflicted  be, 
It  moves  not  me  ; 
For  she  my  soul  will  ravish 

With  constanc}^  and  love's  pure  fire, 
And  with  her  bounty  lavish 
Fulfil  my  heart's  desire. 
(  76) 


SIE  1ST  MIR  LIEB  DIE  WERTHE  MAGD.     77 

She  wears  a  crown  of  purest  gold, 
Twelve  shining  stars  attend  her ; 
Her  raiment,  glorious  to  behold, 
Surpasses  far  in  splendor 
The  sun  at  noon  ; 
Upon  the  moon 
She  stands  the  Bride 
Of  Him  who  died : 
Sore  travail  is  upon  her; 

She  bringeth  forth  a  noble  Son, 
Whom  all  the  world  doth  honor ; 
She  bows  before  His  throne. 

Thereat  the  Dragon  raged,  and  stood 

With  open  mouth  before  her ; 
But  vain  was  his  attempt,  for  God 
His  buckler  broad  threw  o'er  her. 
Up  to  His  throne 
He  caught  His  Son, 
But  left  the  foe 
To  rage  below. 
The  mother,  sore  afflicted, 

Alone  into  the  desert  fted, 
There  by  her  God  protected, 
By  her  true  Father  fed. 


\%t  SfrittOTpIj  of 


Ein  feste  Burg  ist  unser  Gott. 

This  is  the  most  famous  of  Luther's  hymns, 
founded  on  the  forty-sixth  Psalm,  and  which  is  sup- 
posed to  have  been  written  on  his  way  to  the  Diet 
of  Worms,  from  the  coincidence  of  the  third  verse 
with  Luther's  answer  to  Spalatin,  who  tried  to  dis- 
suade him  from  the  journey :  "  If  there  were  as  many 
devils  in  Worms  as  there  are  tiles  on  the  roofs,  I 
would  go,  and  would  not  be  afraid.  If  Huss  was 
burnt  to  ashes,  the  truth  was  not  burnt  with  him." 
Some,  however,  think  that  it  was  composed  at  the 
close  of  the  Second  Diet  of  Spires — that  in  1529, 
which  revoked  the  religious  liberty  granted  in  the 
previous  one  of  1526.  Be  it  as  it  is,  this  hymn  of 
Luther  has  become  the  national  hymn  of  Protestant 
Germany,  the  imperishable  paean  of  the  Reforma- 
tion, or  as  Heine  called  it,  uthe  Marseillaise  of  the 
Reformation."  Of  the  score  or  more  of  English 
versions  of  Luther's  great  hymn,  we  will  give  a  few 
specimens. 
(  78) 


EIN  FESTE  BURG  1ST  UNSER  GOTT.  79 


FIRST    VERSION. 
From  "  Psalinodia  Gennanica,"  London,  1765. 

God  is  our  refuge  in  distress, 

Our  strong  defence  and  armor, 
He  's  present  when  we're  comfortless, 
In  storms  He  is  our  harbor. 
Th'  infernal  enemy, 
Look  !  how  enraged  is  he  ! 
He  now  exerts  his  force 
To  stop  the  Gospel  course : 
Who  can  withstand  this  tyrant  ? 

All  human  power  is  but  dust, 
Our  strength  an  idle  story  ; 
The  Valiant  Man,  in  whom  we  trust, 
Is  Christ,  the  Lord  of  glory. 
He  is  the  Conqueror, 
Vested  with  sovereign  power. 
The  Lord  both  great  and  good, 
The  only  living  God, 
Gains  us  the  field  of  battle. 

If  all  the  devils  should  wage  the  war 
In  order  to  destroy  us, 


80  THE  TRIUMPH  OF  FAITH. 

They  should  not  once  put  us  in  fear ; 
The  victory  would  be  joyous. 

We  dare  the  prince  of  hell ; 

With  fury  let  him  swell ; 

He  cannot  hurt  one  hair ; 
.    We  shall  escape  his  snare  ; 
Christ's  single  word  can  rout  him. 

His  word  puts  all  our  foes  to  flight ; 
With  shame  they  are  confounded  ; 
For  Christ  instructs  our  hands  to  fight ; 
His  Spirit  is  unbounded. 

Tho'  we  should  lose  our  lives, 
Fame,  children,  goods,  and  wives, 
Destroy  hell  what  it  can, 
'Twill  find  but  little  gain, 
Clod's  kingdom  is  our  portion. 


SECOND    VERSION. 
By  Dr.  W.  L.  Alexander,  in  "Lyra  Christiana,"  Edinburgh,  s. 

A  fortress  firm  is  God  our  Lord, 
A  sure  defence  and  weapon ; 

Prompt  help  in  need  he  doth  afford 
Let  happen  what  may  happen. 


EIN  FESTE  BURG  1ST  UNSER  GOTT.  81 

Our  ancient  wicked  foe 
Full  of  wrath  doth  go, 
With  much  craft  and  might 
In  horrid  armor  dight : 
On  earth  is  not  his  fellow. 

Of  our  own  might  we  nothing  can, 

We  lie  forlorn,  dejected  ; 
There  fights  for  us  the  rightful  Man, 
By  God  himself  elected. 

Dost  thou  inquire  his  name? 
Jesus  Christ  ?     The  same  ! 
Lord  of  hosts  is  He ; 
Besides  Him  none  can  be : 
'Tis  He  the  field  that  keepeth. 

And  were  this  world  of  devils  full, 

For  our  destruction  eager, 
That  should  not  our  firm  faith  annul ; 
We  would  abide  their  leaguer. 
The  prince  of  this  lost  world, 
From  his  empire  hurled, 
Though  with  rage  he  roar, 
Is  judged,  and  can  no  more; 
A  word  shall  overthrow  him. 
6 


82  THE  TRIUMPH  OF  FAITH 

Hold  fast  that  word  which  must  remain, 

Let  no  dark  doubt  invade  us  ; 
He  will  be  with  us  on  the  plain, 
With  gifts  and  grace  to  aid  us. 
Let  life  and  honor  fall, 
Let  them  take  our  all, 
Still  our  course  we'll  keep, 
No  prize  from  us  they'll  reap ; 
For  us  the  kingdom  waiteth. 


THIRD    VERSION. 

By  Bishop  Whittingham,  in  "Hymns  for  Church  and  Home,' 
Philadelphia,  1860. 

A  mountain  fastness  is  our  God, 

On  which  our  souls  are  planted ; 
And  though  the  fierce  foe  rage  abroad 
Our  hearts  are  nothing  daunted. 
What  though  he  beset 
With  weapon  and  net, 
Arrayed  in  death-strife  ? 
In  God  are  help  and  life : 
He  is  our  sword  and  armor. 


EIN  FESTE  BURG  1ST  UNSER  GOTT.  83 

By  our  own  might  we  naught  can  do; 

To  trust  it  were  sure  losing  ; 
For  us  must  fight  the  right  and  true, 
The  man  of  God's  own  choosing. 
Dost  ask  for  his  name  ? 
Christ  Jesus  we  claim  ; 
The  Lord  God  of  hosts ; 
The  only  God  ; — vain  boasts 
Of  others  fall  before  Him. 

What  though  the  troops  of  Satan  filled 

The  world  with  hostile  forces  ? 
E'en  then  our  fears  should  all  be  stilled  : 
In  God  are  our  resources. 
The  world  and  its  king 
Xo  terrors  can  bring  ; 
Their  threats  are  no  worth ; 
Their  doom  is  now  gone  forth; 
A  single  word  can  quell  them. 

God's  word  through  all  shall  have  free  swa}* 

And  ask  no  man's  permission ; 
The  Spirit  and  his  gifts  convey 

Strength  to  defy  perdition. 


84  THE  TRIUMPH  OF  FAITH. 

The  body  to  kill, 
Wife,  children,  at  will, 
The  wicked  have  power, 
Yet  lasts  it  bat  an  hour ! 
The  kingdom  's  ours  forever ! 


FOURTH   VERSION. 

By  Dr.  W.  M.  Reynolds,  in  "  Evenings  with  the  Sacred  Poeta,' 
New  York,  1870. 

A  safe  stronghold  our  God  is  still, 

A  sure  defence  and  weapon ; 
He  will  deliver  from  all  ill 
That  unto  us  can  happen. 
Our  old  and  bitter  foe 
Is  fain  to  work  us  woe ; 
In  strength  and  cunning,  he 
Is  armed  full  fearfully ; 
On  earth  is  not  his  equal. 

By  strength  of  ours  we  naught  can  do, 
The  strife  full  soon  were  ended ; 

But  for  us  fights  the  Champion  true, 
By  God  himself  commended. 


EIN  FESTE  BURG  1ST  UNSER  GOTT.  85 

And  dost  thou  ask  his  name  ? 
'Tis  Jesus  Christ !     The  same 
Whom  Lord  of  hosts  we  call, 
God  blessed  over  all — 
He'll  hold  the  field  triumphant. 

Tho'  Satan's  hosts  the  earth  should  fill, 

All  watching  to  devour  us, 

We  tremble  not,  we  fear  no  ill, 

They  cannot  overpower  us. 

This  world's  false  prince  may  still 
Scowl  fiercely  as  he  will, 
His  threat'nings  are  but  vain, 
We  shall  unharmed  remain  ; 
A  word  shall  overthrow  him. 

God's  word  unshaken  shall  remain, 

Whatever  foes  invade  us  ; 
Christ  standeth  on  the  battle-plain, 
With  His  own  strength  to  aid  us. 
What  tho'  they  take  our  life, 
Our  goods,  fame,  children,  wife! 
E'en  when  their  worst  is  done 
They  have  but  little  won, — 
The  kingdom  ours  abideth. 


THE  TRIUMPH  OF  FAITH. 


FIFTH    VERSION. 

By  Thomas  Carlyle,  in  "Critical  and  Miscellaneous  Essays,"  vol.  iii, 
New  York,  1872. 

A  safe  stronghold  our  God  is  still, 

A  trusty  shield  and  weapon  ; 
He'll  help  us  clear  from  all  the  ill 
That  hath  us  now  o'ertaken. 
The  ancient  prince  of  hell 
Hath  risen  with  purpose  fell ; 
Strong  mail  of  craft  and  power 
He  weareth  in  this  hour ; 
On  earth  is  not  his  fellow. 

With  force  of  arms  we  nothing  can, 

Full  soon  were  we  downridden  ; 
But  for  us  fights  the  proper  Man, 
Whom  God  himself  hath  bidden. 
Ask  ye,  who  is  this  same  ? 
Christ  Jesus  is  his  name, 
The  Lord  Zebaoth's  Son, 
He  and  no  other  one 
Shall  conquer  in  the  battle. 

And  were  this  world  all  devils  o'er, 
And  watching  to  devour  us, 


EIN  FESTE  BURG  1ST  UNSER  GOTT.  87 

We  lay  it  not  to  heart  so  sore, 
Not  they  can  overpower  us. 

And  let  the  prince  of  ill 

Look  grim  as  e'er  he  will, 

He  harms  us  not  a  whit : 

For  why  ?     His  doom  is  writ, 
A  word  shall  quickly  slay  him. 

God's  word,  for  all  their  craft  and  force, 

One  moment  will  not  linger ; 
But  spite  of  hell,  shall  have  its  course, 
'Tis  written  b}r  His  finger. 
And  though  they  take  our  life, 
Goods,  honor,  children,  wife, 
Yet  is  their  profit  small ; 
These  kings  shall  vanish  all, 
The  city  of  God  remaineth. 


SIXTH    VERSION. 
By  H.  W.  Dulken,  in  "The  Book  of  German  Songs,"  London,  1871. 

Our  God,  a  tower  of  strength  is  He, 
A  good  defence  and  weapon  ; 

From  every  care  He  helps  us  free 
That  unto  us  doth  happen. 


88  THE  TRIUMPH  OF  FAITH. 

The  old  evil  foe 
With  rage  now  doth  glow  ; 
Much  cunning,  great  power, 
His  fearful  armor  are — 
On  earth  there  is  none  like  him. 

With  our  own  might  is  nothing  done ; 

We  soon  are  lost  and  fallen  ; 
There  fights  for  us  the  righteous  Man, 
Whom  God  himself  hath  callen. 
Dost  ask  who  he  is? 
Christ  Jesus,  I  wis; 
The  Lord  Sabaoth, — 
There  is  no  other  God, — 
And  He  must  be  triumphant. 

Though  the  world  full  of  devils  were, 

All  ready  to  devour  us, 
Still  have  we  not  such  grievous  fear, — 
The  victory  is  for  us. 
The  prince  of  this  earth 
May  scowl  in  his  wrath  ; 
But  powerless  must  be, 
For  judged  is  he  ; 
A  word  can  overcome  him. 


EIN  FESTE  BURG  1ST  UNSER  GOTT.  89 

His  written  Word  shall  they  let  stand, 

And  little  thanks  inherit ; 
He  fighteth  for  us  in  the  land 
With  His  good  gifts  and  Spirit. 
And,  take  they  the  life, 
Goods,  fame,  child,  and  wife, 
Let  all  pass  away ; 
Small  profit  have  they ; 
The  kingdom  yet  awaits  us. 


SEVENTH    VERSION. 

By  H.  Mills,  in  "  Horse  Germanicse,"  New  York,  1856. 

A  tower  of  safety  is  our  God, 

His  sword  and  shield  defend  us ; 
His  mercy,  too,  relieves  the  load 
Of  evils  that  attend  us. 
But  the  ancient  foe 
Strives  to  work  our  woe  ; 
Fearful  power  and  art 
In  him  their  force  exert ; 
On  earth  he  has  no  rival. 


90  THE  TRIUMPH  OF  FAITH. 

By  strength  of  ours  naught  could  be  done,- 

The  strife  full  soon  were  ended ; 
But  fights  for  us  that  righteous  One 
By  God  himself  commended. 
Needs  his  name  be  told? 
Jesus — from  of  old 
Lord  of  Sabaoth, — 
Our  God  and  Saviour  both, — 
He  shall  our  souls  deliver. 

Though  devils  all  the  earth  should  fill, 

Each  gaping  to  devour  us, 
This  Saviour  would  our  terrors  quell, 
And  victory  guide  before  us. 
Prince  of  this  vain  world, 
Be  thy  fury  hurled 
On  our  heads, — 'twere  vain ! 
He  will  thy  rage  restrain  ; 
His  smallest  word  subdue  thee. 

His  truth  our  foes  shall  help  to  show ; 

For  this  no  thanks  they  merit ; 
Believing  Him  we  onward  go, 

He  cheers  us  by  His  Spirit. 


EIN  FESTE  BURG  1ST  UNSER  GOTT.         91 

Should  they,  in  the  strife, 
Quench  our  joys  and  life  ; 
When  their  worst  is  done, 
For  us  the  victory  's  won, — 
He'll  crown  us  then  with  glory. 


EIGHTH    VERSION. 

By  Rev.  R.  P.  Dunn,  in  "Sacred  Lyrics  from  the  German," 
Philadelphia,  1859. 

A  stronghold  firm,  a  trusty  shield, 

When  raging  foes  appal  us, 
Our  God  defence  and  help  doth  yield, 
When  heavy  ills  befall  us. 
With  ancient  bitter  hate, 
Such  might  and  cunning  great, 
As  guides  no  earthly  arm, 
Plotting  us  deadly  harm, 
Our  foe  attempts  to  inthral  us. 

Our  human  strength  avails  us  naught, 
Our  struggles  soon  were  ended, 

And  we  in  hellish  snares  were  caught, 
Unless  by  God  befriended. 


92  THE  TRIUMPH  OF  FAITH 

Know  ye  our  Champion's  name  ? 
All  heaven  tells  his  fame, 
"Jesus,  the  Lord  of  hosts." 
His  might  our  weakness  boasts ; 
By  Him  are  we  defended. 

What  though  in  every  path  of  life 

A  host  of  fiends  endeavor 
To  wound  us  in  the  deadly  strife  ? 
Their  arts  shall  triumph  never. 
The  author  of  all  ill 
May  threaten  as  he  will ; 
His  throne  and  empire  proud, 
But  for  a  time  allowed, 
A  word  shall  end  forever. 

God's  testimony  standeth  sure, 

Whatever  man  betideth, 
He  makes  the  weakest  saint  endure, 
Who  in  His  grace  confideth. 
Though  the  best  gifts  of  life 
Our  foes  seize  in  the  strife, 
We  cheerful  let  them  go ; 
No  profit  have  they  so, 
For  heaven  ours  abideth. 


EIN  FESTE  BURG  1ST  UNSER  QOTT.  93 


NINTH   VERSION. 

By  N.  L.  Frothingharu,  in  "The  Monthly  Religious  Magazine," 
vol.  xxxvii,  Boston,  1867. 

Our  God,  he  is  a  fortress-tower 

And  armor  to  defend  us  ; 
In  all  this  press  of  hostile  power 
Deliverance  He  will  send  us. 
The  old  and  wily  foe 
Is  bent  to  work  us  woe ; 
With  might  and  many  wiles 
He  smites  and  he  beguiles  ; 
On  earth  there  's  not  his  fellow. 

With  our  own  strength  we  nothing  can, 

We  soon  sink  down  dejected ; 
There  battles  for  us  the  right  Man, 
Whom  God  himself  elected. 
Ask  who  this  can  be  ? 
Jesus  Christ  is  he  ; 
Lord  Sabaoth  his  name, 
Which  God  alone  can  claim ; 
He  holds  the  field  forever. 

Though  earth  all  full  of  devils  were, 
All  ramping  to  devour  us, 


94  THE  TRIUMPE  OF  FAITE. 

We  would  not  fear  for  their  mad  stir ; 
They  could  not  overpower  us. 

The  prince  of  this  world, 

Grimmest  signs  unfurled, 

No  harm  now  can  do  ; 

He  's  judged,  with  all  his  crew : 
One  little  word  can  fell  him. 

No  thanks  to  them  who  do  their  worst, 

The  Word  can  ne'er  go  under ; 
Christ  comes  against  their  spite  accurst, 
With  gift  and  sign  and  wonder. 
Strip  thejr  may  of  life, 
Goods,  name,  child,  and  wife; 
Let  them  plot  and  strain  ! 
Thejr  can  achieve  no  gain  ; 
God's  kingdom  must  stand  for  us. 


TENTH   VERSION. 
By  Frances  Eliz.  Cox,  in  "  Hymns  from  the  German,"  London,  1864. 

A  fortress  firm  and  steadfast  Rock 

Is  God  in  time  of  danger  ; 
A  Shield  and  Sword  in  every  shock 

From  foe  well  known  or  stranger. 


EIN  FESTE  BURG  1ST  UNSER  QOTT.  95 

The  old  foe  of  man, 
Intent  on  his  plan, 
With  might  and  with  craft 
Still  plies  each  deadly  shaft ; 
His  like  earth  saw  not  ever. 

In  our  own  might,  so  lost  our  plight, 

Our  arm  no  conquest  gaineth ; 
That  righteous  Man  must  win  the  fight 
Whom  God  himself  ordaineth. 
Thou  askest  his  name  ? 
Xone  else  bears  the  same, — 
Christ  Jesus  the  Lord, 
As  God  of  hosts  adored, 
'Tis  He  must  win  the  battle. 

And  were  the  world  a  hungiy  crew 

Of  devils  all  around  us, 
Their  leaguered  host  we  could  subdue, 
The  thought  need  not  confound  us. 
The  world's  vanquished  prince 
His  doom  had  long  since ; 
His  fiercest  array 
One  word  of  faith  can  fray, 
In  spite  of  threatening  gesture. 


96  THE  TRIUMPH  OF  FAITH 

Unharmed  the  Word  shall  yet  remain  ; 

For  this  no  thanks  they  merit ; 
He  aids  us  on  our  battle-plain 
With  His  good  gifts  and  Spirit. 
Then  take  they  our  life, 
Wealth,  fame,  child,  and  wife; 
No  triumph  they  gain, 
For  all  their  boast  is  vain, 
While  ours  is  still  the  kingdom. 


ELEVENTH    VERSION. 

From  "  The  Church  Book,"  Philadelphia,  1872. 

A  mighty  Fortress  is  our  God, 
A  trusty  shield  and  weapon ; 
He  helps  us  free  from  every  need 
That  hath  us  now  o'ertaken. 
The  old  bitter  foe 
Means  us  deadly  woe  : 
Deep  guile  and  great  might 
Are  his  dread  arms  in  fight ; 
On  earth  is  not  his  equal. 


EIN  FESTE  BURG  1ST  UNSER  GOTT.  97 

With  might  of  ours  can  naught  be  done, 

Soon  were  our  loss  effected ; 
But  for  us  fights  the  Valiant  One 
Whom  God  himself  elected. 
Ask  ye,  who  is  this  ? 
Jesus  Christ  it  is, 
Of  Sabaoth  Lord, 
And  there  's  none  other  God, 
He  holds  the  field  forever. 

Though  devils  all  the  world  should  fill, 

All  watching  to  devour  us, 
We  tremble  not,  we  fear  no  ill, 
They  cannot  overpower  us. 
This  world's  prince  may  still 
Scowl  fierce  as  he  will, 
He  can  harm  us  none, 
He  's  judged,  the  deed  is  done, 
One  little  word  o'erthrows  him. 

The  Word  the}T  still  shall  let  remain, 

And  not  a  thank  have  for  it ; 
He  's  by  our  side  upon  the  plain, 

With  His  good  gifts  and  Spirit. 

7 


98  THE  TRIUMPH  OF  FAITH. 

Take  the}7  then  our  life, 
Goods,  fame,  child,  and  wife 
When  their  worst  is  done, 
They  yet  have  nothing  won, 
The  kingdom  ours  remaineth. 


TWELFTH    VERSION. 

From  B.  H.  Kennedy's  "  Hymnologia  Christiana,"  London,  1863. 

A  tower  of  strength  our  God  doth  stand, 

A  buckler  to  defend  us  ; 
In  all  the  woes  of  life  His  hand 

True  help  is  nigh  to  lend  us. 
Our  foe  prepares  him  for  the  fight, 
With  cunning  armed  and  hellish  might ; 

On  earth  is  not  his  fellow. 

With  force  of  arms  we  nothing  can, 

Full  soon  were  we  o'erridden ; 
But  for  us  fights  the  goodly  Man 

Whom  God  himself  hath  bidden. 
Ask  ye  his  name  ?     'Tis  Christ  our  Lord, 
The  God  of  hosts  alone  adored, 

Our  Champion ;  none  may  brave  Him. 


EIN  FESTE  BURG  1ST  UNSER  GOTT.  99 

Should  hell's  battalions  round  us  press, 

All  banded  to  devour  us, 
Yet  this  should  work  us  good  success, 

Xor  fear  e'en  then  o'erpower  us : 
Though  this  world's  prince  look  fierce  and  bold, 
It  matters  not,  his  doom  is  told, 

A  single  breath  can  foil  him. 

Our  foes  must  let  the  Word  stand  sure ; 

No  thanks  for  this  are  owing : 
God's  Spirit  makes  our  way  secure, 

His  light  and  strength  bestowing. 
Those  foes  may  ravish  earthly  bliss  ; 
Let  be,  no  gain  they  reap  from  this : 

God's  kingdom  still  is  left  us. 


THIRTEENTH    VERSION. 
By  Miss  Catharine  Winkworth,  in  "  Lyra  Germanica,"  I,  New  York,  1864. 

God  is  our  stronghold  firm  and  sure, 
Our  trusty  shield  and  weapon ; 

He  shall  deliver  us,  whate'er 
Of  ill  to  us  may  happen. 


100  THE  TRIUMPH  OF  FAITH. 

Our  ancient  enemy 
In  earnest  now  is  he ; 
Much  craft  and  great  might 
Arm  him  for  the  fight ; 
On  earth  is  not  his  fellow. 

Our  might  is  nought  but  weakness  ;  soon 

Should  we  the  battle  lose, 
But  for  us  fights  the  rightful  Man, 
Whom  God  himself  doth  choose. 
Askest  thou  his  name  ? 
'Tis  Jesus  Christ,  the  same 
Whom  Lord  of  hosts  we  call, 
God  only  over  all ; 
None  from  the  field  can  drive  Him. 

What  though  the  world  were  full  of  fiends, 

That  would  us  sheer  devour ! 
We  know  we  yet  shall  win  the  day, 
We  fear  not  all  their  power. 
The  prince  of  this  world  still 
May  struggle  as  he  will ; 
He  nothing  can  prevail, 
.A  word  shall  make  him  quail, 
For  he  is  judged  of  Heaven. 


EIN  FESTE  BURG  1ST  UNSER  GOTT.       101 

The  word  of  God  they  shall  not  touch, 

Yet  have  no  thanks  therefor; 
God  lyy  His  Spirit  and  His  gifts 
Is  with  us  in  the  war. 

Then  let  them  take  our  life, 
Goods,  honor,  children,  wife; 
Though  nought  of  these  we  save, 
Small  profit  shall  they  have, — 
The  kingdom  ours  abideth. 


FOURTEENTH    VERSION. 

By  Miss  C.  Winkworth,  in  "Christian  Singers  of  Germany,"  London,  1869. 

A  sure  stronghold  our  God  is  He, 

A  trusty  shield  and  weapon ; 
Our  help  He'll  be,  and  set  us  free, 
Whatever  ill  may  happen. 
That  old  malicious  foe 
Intends  us  deadly  woe  ; 
Armed  with  the  strength  of  hell, 
And  deepest  craft  as  well, 
On  earth  is  not  his  fellow. 


102  THE  TRIUMPH  OF  FAITH 

Through  our  own  force  we  nothing  can, 

Straight  were  we  lost  forever ; 
But  for  us  fights  the  proper  Man, 
By  God  sent  to  deliver. 
Ask  ye  who  this  may  be  ? 
Christ  Jesus  named  is  He, 
Of  Sabaoth  the  Lord, 
Sole  God  to  be  adored ; 
'Tis  He  must  win  the  battle. 

And  were  the  world  with  devils  filled, 

All  eager  to  devour  us, 
Our  souls  to  fear  should  little  yield, 
They  cannot  overpower  us. 
Their  dreaded  prince  no  more 
Can  harm  us  as  of  yore; 
Look  grim  as  e'er  he  may, 
Doomed  is  his  ancient  sway ; 
A  word  can  overthrow  him. 

Still  shall  they  leave  that  Word  its  might, 
And  yet  no  thanks  shall  merit ; 

Still  is  He  with  us  in  the  fight 
Bjr  His  good  gifts  and  Spirit. 


EIN  FESTE  BURG  1ST  UNSER  GOTT.       103 

E'en  should  they  take  our  life, 
Goods,  honor,  children,  wife, 
Though  all  of  these  were  gone, 
Yet  nothing  have  they  won, — 
God's  kingdom  ours  abideth. 


FIFTEENTH    VERSION. 
By  R.  Massie,  "Spiritual  Songs  of  Luther,"  London,  1854. 

A  castle  is  our  God,  a  tower, 
A  shield  and  trusty  weapon  ; 
He  saveth  us  by  His  strong  power 
From  all  the  ills  that  happen. 
The  old  arch-fiend,  I  trow, 
Is  in  good  earnest  now ; 
Great  might  and  cunning  are 
His  panoply  of  war ; 
On  earth  there  is  none  like  him. 

Stood  we  alone  in  our  own  might, 
Full  sure  were  we  of  losing ; 

For  us  the  one  true  Man  doth  fight, 
The  Man  of  God's  own  choosing. 


104  THE  TRIUMPH  OF  FAITH. 

Dost  thou  inquire  his  name  ? 
Christ  Jesus  we  proclaim, 
The  God  who  armies  guides, 
There  is  no  God  besides ; 
In  every  field  He  triumphs. 

What  tho'  the  world  should  swarm  with  fiends 

Eager  to  tear  and  rend  us  ? 
We  will  not  fear,  if  God  befriends, 
Success  shall  yet  attend  us. 
The  prince  who  rules  below 
No  harm  can  do  us,  though 
He  looks  so  fierce  and  grim, 
For  Christ  hath  judged  him; 
A  little  word  can  slay  him. 

Leave  us  they  must  Thy  blessed  Word, 

For  which  no  thanks  the}'  merit ; 
With  us  abideth  still  the  Lord, 
His  gifts  and  Holy  Spirit. 
Take,  if  the}'  will,  our  life, 
Goods,  honor,  child,  and  wife ; 
We  freely  let  them  go ; 
They  profit  not  the  foe ; 
With  us  remains  the  kingdom. 


EIN  FESTE  BURG  1ST  UNSER  GOTT.        1Q5 


SIXTEENTH    VERSION. 
J.  C.  Jacobi,  "  Psalmodia  Germanica,"  I,  p.  83. 

God  is  our  Refuge  in  distress, 

Our  strong  defence  and  armor ; 
He  's  present,  when  left  comfortless, 
In  raging  storms  our  harbor. 
Th'  infernal  enemy, 
Look  !  how  enraged  is  he  ! 
He  now  exerts  his  force 
To  stop  the  Gospel-course; 
Who  can  withstand  this  tyrant  ? 

All  human  power  must  here  be  lost ; 

Our  strength  would  soon  be  moved ; 
The  Valiant  Man,  of  whom  wre  boast, 
Is  Christ  the  well-beloved : 
This  is  the  Conqueror 
Endowed  with  foreign  power, 
The  Lord  both  great  and  good, 
And  only  living  God, 
He  gains  the  field  of  battle. 


106  THE  TRIUMPH  OF  FAITH. 

If  all  the  devils  should  wage  the  fight 

In  order  to  destroy  us, 
They  would  not  put  us  into  fright, 
The  victory  should  be  joyous. 
We  scorn  the  prince  of  hell ; 
With  fury  let  him  swell ; 
He  cannot  hurt  one  hair, 
We  shall  escape  his  snare, 
One  single  word  can  rout  hiin. 

This  word  puts  all  our  foes  to  flight, 
With  shame  they  are  confounded, 
For  Christ  instructs  our  hands  to  fight, 
His  Spirit  is  unbounded. 

Tho'  we  should  lose  our  lives, 
Fame,  children,  goods,  and  wives, 
Destroying  all  they  can, 
They'll  find  but  little  gain- 
God's  kingdom  is  our  portion. 


'fcnrtk 


|t' 


Es  spricht  der  Unweisen  Mund. 

PARAPHRASE    OF    THE    FOURTEENTH    PSALM. 
By  It.  Massie,  "  Spiritual  Songs." 

The  mouth  of  fools  doth  God  confess, 
But  while  their  lips  draw  nigh  Him 

Their  heart  is  full  of  wickedness, 
And  all  their  deeds  deny  Him. 

Corrupt  are  the}7,  and  eveiy  one 

Abominable  deeds  hath  done  ; 
There  is  not  one  well-doer. 

The  Lord  looked  down  from  His  high  tower 

On  all  mankind  below  him, 
To  see  if  any  owned  His  power, 

And  truly  sought  to  know  Him ; 
Who  all  their  understanding  bent 
To  search  His  holy  Word,  intent 

To  do  His  will  in  earnest. 

(  107  ) 


108  THE  CHURCH. 


But  none  there  was  who  walked  with  God, 

For  all  aside  had  slidden, 
Delusive  paths  of  folly  trod, 

And  followed  lusts  forbidden ; 
Not  one  there  was  who  practiced  good, 
And  yet  they  deemed,  in  haughty  mood, 

Their  deeds  must  surely  please  Him. 

How  long,  by  folly  blindly  led, 

Will  ye  oppress  the  needy, 
And  eat  my  people  up  like  bread? 

So  fierce  are  ye  and  greedy ! 
In  God  they  put  no  trust  at  all, 
Nor  will  on  Him  in  trouble  call, 

But  be  their  own  providers. 

Therefore  their  heart  is  never  still, 

A  falling  leaf  dismays  them  ; 
God  is  with  him  who  doth  His  will, 

Who  trusts  Him  and  obeys  Him ; 
But  ye  the  poor  man's  hope  despise, 
And  laugh  at  him,  e'en  when  he  cries, 

That  God  is  his  sure  comfort. 

Who  shall  to  Israel's  outcast  race 
From  Zion  bring  salvation  ? 


ES  SPRICHT  DER  UNWEISEN  MUND.       109 

God  will  himself  at  length  show  grace, 

And  loose  the  captive  nation  ; 
That  will  He  do  by  Christ  their  King ; 
Let  Jacob  then  be  glad  and  sing, 

And  Israel  be  joyful. 


(J.  C.  Jacobi,  "  Psalmodia  Germanica,"  II,  p.  66.) 

The  foolish  men  profanely  boast 
Of  God  and  true  religion ; 

Their  faithless  heart  is  full  of  lust, 
Their  life  's  a  contradiction  : 

Corrupted  is  their  very  fame, 

God's  holiness  abhors  the  same, 
There  's  none  doth  good,  but  evil. 

The  Lord  from  his  celestial  throne 
Looked  down  on  every  creature, 

To  find  one  man  who  had  begun 
To  love  God's  holy  nature ; 

But  all  the  race  was  gone  astray, 

All  had  forsook  the  saving  way 
Of  God  his  Revelation. 


HO  THE  CHURCH. 


How  long  will  they  be  ignorant 

Of  their  abomination  ? 
Who  thus  despise  my  covenant, 

Nor  spare  my  holy  nation  ? 
They  never  call  upon  the  Lord, 
Put  all  their  trust  upon  their  hoard, 

And  turn  their  own  defenders. 

Yet  is  their  heart  in  constant  pain, 
And  secret  fear  and  trembling ; 

God  with  His  Zion  will  remain, 
Where  saints  are  still  assembling : 

But  you  deride  the  poor's  advice, 

His  greatest  comfort  you  despise, 
That  God  's  his  only  refuge. 

O  that  the  joyful  day  would  come 

To  turn  our  desolation, 
When  God  will  bring  His  children  home, 

And  finish  our  salvation  ! 
Then  shall  the  tribes  of  Jacob  sing, 
And  Juclah  praise  their  Lord  and  King, 

With  lasting  hallelujahs. 


ACH  GOTT  VOM  HIMMEL  SIEH  DAREIN.     m 

Psalm  12.     Salvum  me  fac. 
Ach  Gott  vom  Himmel  sieh  darein. 

(Cox,  '  'Sacred  Hymns  from  the  German.") 

Look  clown,  0  Lord,  from  heaven  behold, 

And  let  Thy  pity  waken ! 
How  few  the  flock  within  Thy  fold, 

Neglected  and  forsaken ! 
Almost  thou'lt  seek  for  faith  in  vain, 
And  those  who  should  Thy  truth  maintain 

Thy  Word  from  us  have  taken. 

With  frauds  which  they  themselves  invent 
Thy  truth  they  have  confounded  ; 

Their  hearts  are  not  with  one  consent 
On  thy  pure  doctrine  grounded ; 

And,  whilst  they  gleam  with  outward  show, 

They  lead  Thy  people  to  and  fro, 
In  error's  maze  astounded. 

God  surely  will  uproot  all  those 

With  vain  deceits  who  store  us, 
With  haughty  tongue  who  God  oppose, 

And  say,  "Who'll  stand  before  us? 


112  THE  CHURCH. 


By  right  or  might  we  will  prevail ; 
What  we  determine  cannot  fail, 
For  who  can  lord  it  o'er  us?" 

For  this,  saith  God,  I  will  arise, 
These  wolves  my  flock  are  rending; 

I've  heard  my  people's  bitter  sighs 
To  heaven  my  throne  ascending  : 

Now  will  I  up,  and  set  at  rest 

Each  weary  soul  by  fraud  opprest, 
The  poor  with  might  defending. 

The  silver  seven  times  tried  is  pure 

From  all  adulteration ; 
So,  through  God's  word,  shall  men  endure 

Each  trial  and  temptation  : 
Its  worth  gleams  brighter  through  the  cross, 
And,  purified  from  human  dross, 

It  shines  through  every  nation. 

Thy  truth  Thou  wilt  preserve,  O  Lord, 

Pure  from  their  artful  glozing ; 
Oh!  make  us  lean  upon  Thy  word, 

With  hearts  unmoved  reposing, 
Though  bad  men  triumph,  and  their  crew 
Are  gathered  round,  the  faithful  few 

With  crafty  toils  inclosing. 


ACH  GO  TT  VO  M  HIMMEL  SI  EH  DA  REIN.     1 1 3 


(J.  C.  Jacobi,  "  Psaluiodia  Germanica,"  I,  p.  93.) 

0  Lord,  in  mercy  cast  an  eye 

On  Thy  distressed  Zion  ; 
How  few  of  Christians  can'st  thou  spy 

That  'scape  th'  infernal  lion  ? 
Thy  truth  was  never  more  despised 
Faith,  charit}T  is  but  disguised 

Amongst  its  mere  professors. 

They  teach  but  lies  and  flattery, 
What  is  their  own  invention ; 

Their  doctrine  is  but  mockery 
Of  God  and  His  intention: 

One  chooses  this,  another  that, 

Pretending  to  the}r  know  not  what, 
Though  saint-like  in  appearance. 

Root  out  all  mere  formality, 

0  Lord  !  and  its  infection  ; 
Confound  refined  hypocrisy, 

Which  is  beyond  correction  : 
Yet  shall  our  words  be  free,  they  cry; 
Where  is  the  Lord  will  ask  us  why? 

Who  dare  control  our  sayings  ? 


114  THE  CHURCH. 


The  Lord,  who  sees  the  poor  opprest, 
And  hears  these  proud  professors, 

Will  rise  to  give  His  children  rest, 
And  curb  their  sore  oppressors  ; 

Nor  will  He  send  His  word  in  vain, 

But  wilful  mockers  shall  be  slain, 
To  save  His  poor  beloved. 

As  silver  seven  times  purified 
Shines  in  its  greatest  beauty, 

So,  Lord,  thy  Word,  though  often  tried, 
Shall  still  exert  its  duty : 

Affliction  shall  refine  it  more, 

And  show  its  energy  and  power, 
According  to  Thy  promise. 

0  Lord !  we  pray,  preserve  it  pure 

In  this  our  generation, 
And  let  us  dwell  in  Thee,  secure 

From  all  abomination : 
For  sin  increases  every  day, 
Where  vile  blasphemers  bear  the  sway 

In  church  or  state  soever. 


WAR'  GOTT  NICHT  MIT  UNS  DIESE  ZEIT.  H5 

Psalm  124.     Nisi  quia  Dominus. 
War'  Gott  nicht  mit  uns  diese  Zeit. 

(R.  Massie,  "  Spiritual  SoDgs,"  p.  35.) 

Had  God  not  come,  may  Israel  say, 

Had  God  not  come  to  aid  us, 
Our  enemies  on  that  sad  day 

Would  surety  have  dismayed  us ; 
A  remnant  now,  and  handful  small, 
Hejd  in  contempt  and  scorn  by  all 

Who  cruelty  oppress  us. 

Their  furious  wrath,  did  God  permit, 
Would  quickly  have  consumed  us, 

And  in  the  deep  and  yawning  pit 
With  life  and  limb  entombed  us ; 

Like  men  o'er  whom  dark  waters  roll, 

The  streams  had  gone  e'en  o'er  our  soul, 
And  mightity  o'erwhelmed  us. 

Thanks  be  to  God,  who  from  the  pit 
Snatched  us,  when  it  was  gaping; 

Our  souls,  like  birds  that  break  the  net, 
To  the  blue  skies  escaping ; 

The  snare  is  broken — we  are  free  1 

The  Lord  our  helper  praised  be, 
The  God  of  earth  and  heaven. 


rare. 


Nun  freut  euch,  lieben  Christen  g'mein. 

A   THANKSGIVING    FOR   THE    HIGHEST    BENEFITS   WHICH    GOB 
HAS   SHOWN    US   IN   CHRIST. 

An  eye-witness  of  the  Reformation  sa}Ts  of  that 
hymn :  "  Who  can  doubt  that  by  this  hymn  many 
hundreds  of  Christians  have  been  converted  to  the 
faith  of  Jesus,  who  had  never  before  heard  of  the 
name  of  Luther?  But  his  noble  and  dear  words 
won  their  hearts  over  to  the  reception  of  the  truth ; 
so  that,  in  my  opinion,  the  spiritual  songs  have  con- 
tributed not  a  little  to  the  spread  of  the  Gospel." 
To  this  we  may  add:  "Luther,"  said  the  Romanists, 
"  has  done  us  more  harm  by  his  songs  than  by  his 
sermons." 

(C.  Winkworth,  "Christian  Singers  of  Germany.") 

Dear  Christian  people,  now  rejoice ! 
Our  hearts  within  us  leap, 
(  H6) 


FREUT  EUCH,  LIEBEN  CHRISTEN  G'MEIN.     \\-J 

While  we,  as  with  one  soul  and  voice, 

With  love  and  gladness  deep, 
Tell  how  our  God  beheld  our  need, 
And  sing  that  sweet  and  wondrous  deed, 

That  hath  so  dearty  cost  Him. 

Captive  to  Satan  once  I  lay, 

In  inner  death  forlorn  ; 
My  sins  oppressed  me  night  and  day, 

Therein  I  had  been  born, 
And  deeper  fell  howe'er  I  strove ; 
My  life  had  neither  joy  nor  love, 

So  sore  had  sin  possessed  me. 

My  good  works  could  avail  me  naught, 
For  the}T  with  sin  were  stained  ; 

M3-  will  against  God's  justice  fought, 
And  dead  to  good  remained ; 

Mjt  anguish  drove  me  to  despair, 

For  death  I  knew  was  waiting  there, 
And  what  but  hell  was  left  me  ? 

Then  God  in  His  eternity 

Looked  on  my  boundless  woe, 
His  deep  compassions  flowed  toward  me, 

True  succor  to  bestow: 


118  GRACE. 


His  Father's  heart  did  yearn  and  melt 
To  heal  the  bitter  pains  I  felt, 

Though  it  should  cost  His  dearest. 

He  spake  to  His  beloved  Son : 

"  Go  Thou,  my  heart's  bright  crown, 

The  time  for  pity  is  begun, 
Go  Thou  in  mercy  down 

To  break  for  men  Sin's  heavy  chain, 

To  end  for  them  Death's  hopeless  reign, 
And  give  them  life  eternal." 

The  Son  delighteth  to  obe}', 

And  born  of  virgin  mother, 
Awhile  on  this  low  earth  did  stay, 

And  thus  became  my  brother: 
His  mighty  power  He  hidden  bore, 
A  servant's  form  like  mine  He  wore, 

My  foe  for  me  to  vanquish. 

To  me  He  spake :  "  Hold  fast  by  Me, 
And  thou  shalt  conquer  now ; 

Myself  I  wholly  give  for  thee, 
For  thee  I  wrestle  now ; 

For  I  am  with  thee,  thou  art  Mine, 

Henceforth  My  place  is  also  thine, 
The  foe  shall  never  part  us. 


FREUT  EUCH,  LIEBEN  CHRISTEN  G'MEIN.    H9 

"  I  know  that  he  will  shed  My  blood, 

And  take  My  life  away; 
But  I  will  bear  it  for  thy  good, 

Only  believe  away : 
Death  swallows  up  this  life  of  Mine, 
My  innocence — all  sins  of  thine, 

And  so  art  thou  delivered. 

"  And  when  I  rise  to  heaven  above, 

Where  is  my  Father's  home, 
I  still  will  be  thy  Lord  in  love, 

And  bid  my  Spirit  come 
To  solace  thee  in  every  woe, 
To  teach  thee  Me  aright  to  know, 

And  into  truth  to  guide  thee. 

"  And  even  as  I  have  done  and  said, 

So  shalt  thou  say  and  do, 
That  so  God's  kingdom  may  be  spread, 

And  He  have  honor  due : 
And  this  last  counsel  give  I  thee, 
From  men's  additions  keep  thou  free 

The  treasure  I  have  left  thee." 


120  GRACE. 


(J.  C.  Jacobi,  "  Psalmodia  Germanica,"  I,  p.  30.) 

Now  come,  ye  Christians  all,  and  bring, 
With  cheerful  hearts  and  voices, 

Due  praises  to  our  God  and  King, 
Whose  holy  court  rejoices 

To  see  the  wonders  of  this  love, 

Which  brought  Redemption  from  above, 
Beyond  our  expectation. 

As  Satan's  slave  in  sin  I  lay, 

Despairing  of  salvation, 
Original  sin  had  got  the  sway, 

God  was  my  detestation  ; 
And  sinking  deeper  by  degrees 
Into  this  desperate  disease, 

I  must  be  lost  forever. 

Good  works  would  here  not  serve  my  turn, 
They  could  produce  no  merit ; 

Rebellion  made  my  free-will  burn 
Against  the  Holy  Spirit. 

M}r  anguish  drove  me  to  despair, 

Death  was  my  mirror  everywhere, 
The  presage  of  hell-torment. 


FREUT  EUCH,  LIEBEN  CHRISTEN  G'MEIN.    121 

But,  0  unutterable  grace, 

That  pitied  my  condition, 
Th'  eternal  Son  would  take  my  place, 

To  save  me  from  perdition ; 
Down  to  this  world  the  Saviour  flies, 
Stretches  His  willing  arms,  and  dies 

For  me  a  wretched  sinner. 

'  Justice  was  pleased  to  bruise  the  God, 

And  author  of  salvation, 
To  pay  its  wrongs  with  heavenly  blood, 

And  quench  hell  and  damnation  ; 
Infinite  racks  and  pangs  He  bore, 
And  rose ;  the  law  could  ask  no  more 

Of  this  my  Mediator. 

Thus  the  Redeemer  spake  to  me, 

In  smiling  condescension : 
"  I  wholly  give  Myself  for  thee 

To  unveil  this  M}'  intention, 
That  I  am  thine  with  all  I  have, 
And  purchased  by  the  cross  and  grave, 

No  foe  shall  disunite  us. 


"  I'll  rise  again,  retake  the  crown 
And  glory  of  my  Father, 


122  GRACE. 


From  thence  I'll  send  my  Spirit  down 

To  bring  my  saints  together; 
His  comforts  shall  abide  with  thee, 
To  strengthen  thy  belief  in  Me, 
And  seal  thy  sure  salvation. 

"  What  I  have  suffered,  done,  and  taught, 

Shall  be  thy  rule  of  action, 
That  all  thy  neighbors  may  be  brought 

To  follow  My  direction. 
Beware  of  other  guides  of  faith, 
Stick  to  My  self-denying  path, 

The  safest  way  to  glory." 


Psalm  128.      Beati  omnes  qui  timent  Deum. 
Wohl  dem,  der  in  Gottesfurcht  steht. 

(R.  Massie,  "  Spiritual  Songs,"  p.  51.) 

Happy  the  man  who  feareth  God, 
Whose  feet  His  holy  ways  have  trod ; 
Thine  own  good  hand  shall  nourish  thee, 
And  well  and  happy  shalt  thou  be. 


WOHL  DEM,  DER  IN  GOTTESFURCHT  STEHT.  123 

Thy  wife  shall,  like  a  fruitful  vine, 
Fill  all  thy  house  with  clusters  fine  ; 
Thy  children  all  be  fresh  and  sound, 
Like  olive-plants  thy  table  round. 

Lo !  to  the  man  these  blessings  cleave 
Who  in  God's  holy  fear  doth  live ; 
From  hirn  the  ancient  curse  hath  fled 
By  Adam's  race  inherited. 

Out  of  Mount  Zion  God  shall  send, 
And  crown  with  joy  thy  latter  end ; 
That  thou  Jerusalem  mayst  see 
In  favor  and  prosperity. 

He  shall  be  with  thee  in  tlry  ways, 
And  give  thee  health  and  length  of  days; 
Yea,  thou  shalt  children's  children  see, 
And  peace  on  Israel  shall  be. 

Amen. 


124  GRACE. 

Ps.  67.     Deus  misereatur  nostri. 
Es  wolt  uns  Gott  gensedig  sein. 

(Mills,  "  Horse  Germaniese,"  p.  201.; 

To  us,  O  God,  impart  Thy  grace, 

Thy  Holy  Spirit  sending ; 
So  cheer  us  with  Thy  smiling  face, 

A  pledge  of  life  unending, 
That  we  may  learn  what  Thou  hast  wrought, 

What  best  will  meet  Thy  pleasure ; 
Then,  of  the  bliss  by  Jesus  bought, 

To  heathens  teach  the  measure, 
That  they,  too,  may  enjoy  it. 

The  heathen,  from  their  idols  free, 

Their  thanks  and  honors  bringing, 
And  all  the  world,  shall  yet  in  Thee 

Rejoice,  with  rapture  singing — 
"  Thou  art  our  Ruler  here  below, 

And  sin  no  more  shall  lead  us ; 
Thy  word  the  path  of  peace  will  show, 

With  bread  of  life  will  feed  us, — 
And  bring:  our  souls  to  heaven." 


ES  WOLT  UNS  GOTT  GEN^DIG  SE1N.  125 

O  when  will  all  the  nations  learn 

To  praise  Thee  by  well-doing  t 
The  earth  to  Thee  from  error  turn, 

Her  tribes  Thy  grace  pursuing  ! 
Now  bless  us,  Father  and  the  Son, 

And  bless  us,  Holy  Spirit ! 
By  all  to  Thee  be  honors  done, 

As  well  Thy  favors  merit ! 
Amen,  Lord  !  Hallelujah  1 


itto, 


Mensch  willt  du  leben  seliglich. 

(R.  Massie,  "  Spiritual  Songs,"  p.  53.) 

This  is  the  shorter  paraphrase  of  the  Decalogue. 

Wilt  thou,  0  man,  live  happily, 
And  dwell  with  God  eternally, 
The  ten  commandments  keep,  for  thus 
Our  God  himself  commanded  us. 
Kyrie  eleison. 

I  am  the  Lord  and  God !  take  heed 
No  other  god  doth  thee  mislead ; 
Thy  heart  shall  trust  alone  in  me, 
Yea,  mine  own  kingdom  thou  shalt  be. 
Kyrie  eleison. 

Honor  my  Name  in  word  and  deed, 
And  call  on  Me  in  time  of  need : 
Keep  hoty,  too,  the  Sabbath  day, 
That  work  in  thee  I  also  may. 

Kyrie  eleison. 

(  126) 


DIESS  SIND  DIE  HEILIGEN  ZEHN  GEBOT.  127 

1 

Obedient  always,  next  to  Me, 
To  father  and  to  mother  be : 
Kill  no  man  ;  even  anger  dread  : 
Keep  undefiled  thy  marriage  bed. 
K}Tie  eleison. 

Steal  not,  nor  do  thy  neighbor  wrong 
By  bearing  witness  with  false  tongue : 
Thy  neighbor's  wife  desire  thou  not, 
Nor  grudge  him  aught  that  he  hath  got. 
Kyrie  eleison. 


Diess  sind  die  heiligen  zehn  Gebot. 

(R.  Massie,  "  Spiritual  Songs,"  p.  57.) 

This  is  the  larger  form  of  the  ten  commandments. 

That  men  a  godly  life  might  live, 
God  did  these  ten  commandments  give 
By  His  true  servant  Moses,  high 
Upon  the  mount  of  Sinai. 

Kyrie  eleison. 


128  LAW. 

5 

I  am  thy  God  and  Lord  alone, 
No  other  God  besides  Me  own ; 
Put  thy  whole  confidence  in  Me, 
And  love  Me  in  sincerity. 

Kyrie  eleison. 

By  idle  word  and  speech  profane 
Take  not  My  holy  name  in  vain ; 
And  praise  not  aught  as  good  and  true 
But  what  God  doth  both  saj'  and  do. 
Kyrie  eleison. 

Hallow  the  day  which  God  hath  blest, 
That  thou  and  all  thy  house  may  rest ; 
Keep  hand  and  heart  from  labor  free, 
That  God  may  have  His  work  in  thee. 
Kyrie  eleison. 

Give  to  thy  parents  honor  due, 
Be  dutiful,  and  loving  too ; 
And  help  them  when  their  strength  decays ; 
So  shall  God  give  thee  length  of  days. 
Kyrie  eleison. 


DIESS  SIND  DIE  HEJLIGEN  ZEHN  GEBOT.  129 

Harbor  no  hatred,  nor  ill  will, 
Lest  hate  bre^d  anger,  and  thou  kill ; 
Be  patient  and  of  gentle  mood, 
And  to  thine  enemy  do  good. 
Kyrie  eleison. 

Be  faithful  to  thy  marriage  vows, 
Thy  heart  give  only  to  thy  spouse ; 
Keep  thy  life  pure,  and  lest  thou  sin 
Use  temperance  and  discipline. 
Kyrie  eleison. 

Steal  not ;  oppressive  acts  abhor  ; 
Nor  wring  their  life-blood  from  the  poor ; 
But  open  wide  thy  loving  hand 
To  all  the  needy  in  the  land. 

Kyrie  eleison. 

Bear  not  false  witness,  nor  belie 
Thy  neighbor  by  foul  calumny  ; 
Defend  his  innocence  from  blame, 
And  hide  with  charity  his  shame. 
Kyrie  eleison. 


9 


130  LAW. 

Thy  neighbor's  wife  desire  thou  not, 
His  house,  nor  aught  that  he  hath  got ; 
But  wish  that  his  such  good  may  be 
As  thine  own  heart  doth  wish  for  thee. 
Kyrie  eleison. 

God  these  commandments  gave,  therein 
To  show  thee,  son  of  man,  thy  sin, 
And  make  thee  also  well  perceive 
How  unto  God  man  ought  to  live. 
Kyrie  eleison. 

Help  us,  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  for  we 
A  Mediator  have  in  Thee ; 
Without  Thy  help  our  works  are  vain, 
And  merit  only  endless  pain. 
Kyrie  eleison. 


§t   tj&tttb. 


Wir  glauben  all  an  einen  Gott. 

("  Choral  Book,"  Appendix  VI.) 

We  all  believe  in  One  true  God, 

Maker  of  the  earth  and  heaven ; 
The  Father,  who  to  us  in  love 

Hath  the  claim  of  children  given. 
He  in  soul  and  bod}'  feeds  us, 

All  we  want  His  hand  provides  us ; 
Thro'  all  snares  and  perils  leads  us, 

Watches  that  no  harm  betides  us ; 
He  cares  for  us,  cares  for  us  by  day  and  night, 
All  things  are  governed  by  His  might. 

And  we  believe  in  Jesus  Christ, 
His  only  Son,  our  Lord,  possessing 

An  equal  Godhead,  throne  and  might, 

Thro'  whom  descends  the  Father's  blessing; 

(  131  ) 


132  THE  CREED. 


Conceived  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
Born  of  Mar}7,  virgin  mother  ; 

That  lost  man  might  life  inherit 
Made  true  man,  our  elder  Brother, 

Was  crucified  for  sinful  men, 

And  raised  by  God  to  life  again. 

And  we  confess  the  Holy  Ghost, 

Who  from  Son  and  Father  floweth,    • 
The  Comforter  of  fearful  hearts, 

Who  all  precious  gifts  bestoweth ; 
In  whom  all  the  Church  hath  union, 
Who  maintains  the  saints'  communion ; 
We  believe  our  sins  forgiven, 
And  that  life  with  God  in  heaven, 
When  we  are  raised  again,  shall  be 
Our  portion  in  eternity. 


\t   mortis    %txt$tt* 


Vater  unser  im  Himmelreich. 

A  pious  man  in  Venice,  upon  reading  Luther's 
Paraphrase  of  the  Lord's  Prayer,  without  knowing 
its  author,  is  said  to  have  cried  out,  "  Blessed  is  the 
womb  that  bare  thee,  and  the  paps  which  thou  hast 
sucked!" 

(C.  Winkworth,  "Choral  Book  for  England,"  No.  114.) 

Our  Father,  thou  in  heaven  above, 
Who  biddest  us  to  dwell  in  love, 
As  brethren  of  one  family, 
And  cry  for  all  we  need  to  Thee ; 
Teach  us  to  mean  the  words  we  say, 
And  from  the  inmost  heart  to  pray. 


All  hallowed  be  Thy  name,  0  Lord ! 
Oh,  let  us  firmly  keep  Thy  Word, 

(  133 


134  THE  LORD'S  PRAYER. 

And  lead,  according  to  Thy  name, 
A  holy  life,  untouched  by  blame ; 
Let  no  false  teachings  do  us  hurt, — 
All  poor  deluded  souls  convert. 

Thy  kingdom  come !     Thine  let  it  be 
In  time,  and  through  eternity ! 
Oh,  let  thy  Holy  Spirit  dwell 
With  us,  to  rule  and  guide  us  well ; 
From  Satan's  mighty  power  and  rage 
Preserve  Thy  Church  from  age  to  age. 

Thy  will  be  done  on  earth,  O  Lord, 
As  where  in  heaven  Thou  art  adored ! 
Patience  in  time  of  grief  bestow, 
Obedience  true  through  weal  and  woe ; 
Strength,  tempting  wishes  to  control 
That  thwart  Thy  will  within  the  soul. 

Give  us  to-day  our  daily  bread, 
Let  us  be  duly  clothed  and  fed, 
And  keep  Thou  from  our  homes  afar 
Famine  and  pestilence  and  war, 
That  we  may  live  in  godly  peace, 
Unvexed  by  cares  and  avarice, 


VATER  UNSER  IM  HIMMELREICH.         135 

Forgive  us  our  sins,  that  they  no  more 
May  grieve  and  haunt  us  as  before, 
As  we  forgive  their  trespasses 
Who  unto  us  have  done  amiss ; 
Thus  let  us  dwell  in  charity, 
And  serve  each  other  willingly. 

Into  temptation  lead  us  not ; 

And  when  the  foe  doth  war  and  plot 

Against  our  souls  on  every  hand, 

Then,  armed  with  faith,  oh  may  we  stand 

Against  him  as  a  valiant  host, 

Through  comfort  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Deliver  us  from  evil,  Lord ! 
The  days  are  dark  and  foes  abroad ; 
Redeem  us  from  the  second  death ; 
And  when  we  yield  our  dying  breath, 
Console  us,  grant  us  calm  release, 
And  take  our  souls  to  Thee  in  peace. 

Amen  !  that  is,  So  let  it  be ! 
Strengthen  our  faith  and  trust  in  Thee, 


136  THE  LORD'S  PRAYER. 

That  we  may  doubt  not,  but  believe 
That  what  we  ask  we  shall  receive ; 
Thus  in  Thy  name  and  at  Thy  word 
We  sa}^  Amen,  now  hear  us,  Lord  ! 


(J.  C.  Jacobi,  "  Psalmodia  Germanica,"  I,  p.  65.) 

Our  Father !  who  from  heaven  above 
Bid'st  us  to  live  in  constant  love 
As  brethren,  and  in  truth  to  join 
T'  adore  this  Father-Name  of  thine, 
Grant  we  may  always  pray  to  Thee 
In  spirit  and  sincerity. 

Thy  Name  be  hallowed  everywhere ; 
Make  us  to  read  Thy  Word  with  care, 
That  we  may  live  accordingly, 
And  praise  Thy  sacred  Name  on  high ; 
From  all  false  doctrine,  self-conceit, 
Thy  poor  deluded  flock  retreat. 

Thy  kingdom  come,  thy  grace  be  nigh, 
O'er  all  the  earth,  o'er  all  the  sky ; 


VATER  UNSER  IM  HIMMELREICH.  137 

The  Holy  Spirit  of  thy  grace 
Bestow  His  gifts  on  human  race ; 
From  Satan's  woful  tyranny 
Keep  all  Thy  churches  safe  and  free. 


Thy  will  be  done  in  earth,  as  well 
As  'tis  in  heaven,  where  angels  dwell 
In  joy  and  sorrow  make  our  mind 
Be  cheerfully  to  Thee  resigned  : 
All  motions  of  our  flesh  and  blood 
Subdue,  when  Thy  will  is  withstood. 


Give  us  this  day  our  daity  bread, 
And  what  we  want  for  present  need ; 
From  sad  contention,  war,  and  strife, 
From  dearth  and  pest,  remove  our  life. 
Preserve  our  peace  and  liberty  ; 
From  filthy  lucre  make  us  free. 

Forgive  us  all  our  trespasses, 
That  are  so  great  and  numberless ; 
And  make  us  willing  to  forgive 
Our  enemies  with  whom  we  live : 
Let  mutual  love  and  charity 
Unite  Thy  Christian  family. 


138  THE  LORD'S  PRAYER. 

Into  temptation  lead  us  not 
When  Satan  lays  his  secret  plot, 
But  lend  us  Thine  almighty  hand 
To  fight  with  courage,  and  withstand ; 
That,  armed  with  faith  as  with  a  shield, 
We  may  at  last  obtain  the  field. 

At  length  begin  to  set  us  free 
From  sin  and  all  its  misery ; 
Redeem  us  from  eternal  death, 
Thy  grace  relieve  our  dying  breath : 
A  blessed  exit  be  our  doom, 
To  bring  us  t'  our  eternal  home. 

For  Thine  's  the  power  and  majesty, 

Now,  and  to  all  eternity : 

Increase  our  faith  and  guide  our  ways, 

And  give  us  grace  Thy  name  to  praise : 

According  to  Thy  sacred  Word, 

A  blessed  Amen  us  afford. 


vngtt. 


Verleih  uns  Frieden  gnaediglich. 

(R.  Massie,  "Spiritual  Songs,"  p.  68.) 

In  these  our  days  so  perilous, 
Lord,  peace  in  mercy  send  us; 
No  God  but  Thou  can  fight  for  us, 
No  God  but  Thou  defend  us, 
Our  only  God  and  Saviour. 


(  139) 


itptism. 


A   SPIRITUAL    SONG   CONCERNING    OUR    HOLY    BAPTISM. 


Christ  tmser  Herr  zum  Jordan  ging. 

(R.  Massie,  "Spiritual  Songs,"  p.  69.) 

To  Jordan  came  our  Lord  the  Christ, 

To  do  God's  pleasure  willing, 
And  there  was  by  Saint  John  baptized, 

All  righteousness  fulfilling ; 
There  did  He  consecrate  a  bath 

To  wash  away  transgression, 
And  quench  the  bitterness  of  death 

By  His  own  blood  and  passion  ; 
He  would  a  new  life  give  us. 

So  hear  }^e  all,  and  well  perceive 
What  God  doth  call  Baptism, 
And  what  a  Christian  should  believe 

Who  error  shuns  and  schism : 
(  140) 


CHRIST  UNSER  HERR  ZUM  JORDAN  GING.      141 

That  we  should  water  use,  the  Lord 

Declareth  it  His  pleasure  ; 
Not  simple  water,  but  the  Word 

And  Spirit  without  measure  ; 
He  is  the  true  Baptize r. 

To  show  us  this,  He  hath  His  Word 

With  signs  and  S3Tmbols  given  ; 
On  Jordan's  banks  was  plainly  heard 

The  Father's  voice  from  heaven : 
"This  is  my  well-beloved  Son, 

In  whom  my  soul  delighteth ; 
Hear  Him."     Yea,  hear  Him  every  one 

Whom  He  himself  inviteth, 
Hear  and  obey  His  teaching. 

In  tender  manhood  Jesus  straight 

To  holy  Jordan  wendeth  ; 
The  Holy  Ghost  from  heaven's  gate 

In  dovelike  shape  descendeth ; 
That  thus  the  truth  be  not  denied, 

Nor  should  our  faith  e'er  waver, 
That  the  Three  Persons  all  preside 

At  Baptism's  holy  laver, 
And  dwell  with  the  believer. 


142  BAPTISM. 


Thus  Jesus  his  disciples  sent  : 

Go,  teach  }^e  every  nation, 
That  lost  in  sin  they  must  repent, 

And  flee  from  condemnation  : 
He  that  believes  and  is  baptized, 

Obtains  a  mighty  blessing ; 
A  new-born  man,  no  more  he  dies, 

Eternal  life  possessing, 
A  joyful  heir  of  heaven. 

Who  in  this  mercy  hath  not  faith, 

Nor  aught  therein  discerneth, 
Is  yet  in  sin,  condemned  to  death, 

And  fire  that  ever  burneth ; 
His  holiness  avails  him  not, 

Nor  aught  which  he  is  doing ; 
His  birth-sin  brings  it  all  to  naught, 

And  maketh  sure  his  ruin  ; 
Himself  he  cannot  succor. 

The  e}^e  of  sense  alone  is  dim, 
And  nothing  sees  but  water ; 

Faith  sees  Christ  Jesus,  and  in  Him 
The  lamb  ordained  for  slaughter ; 


CHRIST  UNSER  HERR  ZUM  JORDAN  GING.      143 

She  sees  the  cleansing  fountain  red 

With  the  dear  blood  of  Jesus, 
Which  from  the  sins  inherited 

From  fallen  Adam  frees  us, 
And  those  we  have  committed. 


tpeittattce. 


A    PARAPHEASE    OF    THE    130th    PSALM. 


Aus  tiefer  Noth  schrei  ich  zu  dir. 

FIRST    VERSION. 
By  C.  Winkworth,  "Lyra  Germanica,"  First  Series,  p.  65. 

Out  of  the  depth  I  cry  to  Thee, 
Lord  God,  oh  hear  nr^  prayer! 

Incline  a  gracious  ear  to  me, 
And  bid  me  not  despair : 

If  Thou  rememberest  each  misdeed, 

If  each  should  have  its  rightful  meed, 
Lord,  who  shall  stand  before  Thee  ? 


Lord,  through  Thy  love  alone  we  gain 

The  pardon  of  our  sin  ; 
The  strictest  life  is  but  in  vain, 

Our  works  can  nothing  win ; 
(  144) 


A  US  TIEFER  NOTH  SCHREI  ICR  LU  DIR.     145 

That  none  should  boast  himself  of  aught, 
But  own  in  fear  Thy  grace  hath  wrought 
What  in  him  seemeth  righteous. 

Wherefore  my  hope  is  in  the  Lord, 

My  works  I  count  but  dust ; 
I  build  not  there,  but  on  His  Word, 

And  in  His  goodness  trust. 
Up  to  His  care  myself  I  yield, 
He  is  my  tower,  my  rock,  my  shield, 

And  for  His  help  I  tarry. 

And  though  it  tarry  till  the  night, 

And  round  again  to  morn, 
My  heart  shall  ne'er  mistrust  Thy  might, 

Nor  count  itself  forlorn. 
Do  thus,  0  }Te  of  Israel's  seed, 
Ye  of  the  Spirit  born  indeed, 

Wait  for  your  God's  appearing. 

Though  great  our  sins  and  sore  our  wounds, 

And  deep  and  dark  our  fall, 
His  helping  mercy  hath  no  bounds, 

His  love  surpasseth  all. 
10 


146  REPENTANCE. 


Our  trusty,  loving  Shepherd  he, 

Who  shall  at  last  set  Israel  free 

From  all  their  sin  and  sorrow. 


SECOND    VERSION. 
(J.  C.  Jacobi,  "Psalraodia  Gertnanica,"  I,  p.  61.) 

Out  of  the  deeps  of  long  distress, 

The  borders  of  despairing, 
I  send  my  cries  to  seek  Thy  grace, 

My  groans  to  move  Thy  hearing; 
Great  God  !  should  Thy  severer  eye 
Mark  and  revenge  iniquity, 

Who  could  abide  Thy  judgment? 

But  Thou  hast  built  the  throne  of  grace 
Free  to  dispense  Thy  favor, 

That  sinners  may  approach  Thy  face 
To  ease  their  mournful  labor ; 

For  pardon  is  with  Thee  our  God, 

Thy  Son  has  sealed  it  with  His  blood ; 
This  is  our  only  refuge. 


A  US  TIEFER  NOTH  SCHREI  1CH  ZU  DIR.     147 


In  Thee  alone  I  put  my  trust, 

And  only  plead  Thy  merit, 
For  Thou  art  kind  as  well  as  just, — 

Thee  I  adore  in  spirit : 
Nor  shall  I  trust  Thy  Word  in  vain, 
'Tis  the  relief  from  all  my  pain, 

When  living  or  when  d\ring. 

Just  as  the  guards  that  keep  the  night 
Long  for  the  rising  morniug, 

So  wait  I  for  Thy  gracious  light, 
Of  which  Thou  gav'st  me  warning: 

Then  let  the  sons  of  Israel  wait 

On  God  before  His  holy  gate 
Till  He  displa}7  His  blessing. 

There  's  full  redemption  at  His  throne, 
For  loads  of  black  transgression  ; 

He  pardons  what  our  hands  have  done 
When  Christ  makes  intercession: 

Great  is  His  love  and  large  his  grace; 

He  turns  our  feet  from  sinful  ways, 
And  Israel  shall  be  saved. 


148  REPENTANCE. 


THIRD    VERSION. 

(Mills,  "Horse  Germanicee,"  p.  71.) 

From  deep  distress  to  Thee  I  praj^, 

0  God,  hear  my  entreaty  ! 
Turn  not  Thy  face  from  me  away. 

But  show  Thy  tender  pity : 
As  Judge,  should  Thou  my  deeds  regard, 
In  justice  weighing  due  award, 

How  could  1  stand  the  trial  ? 

With  Thee  should  mercy  not  prevail 

To  show  to  man  Thy  favor, 
His  every  act  his  guilt  would  swell, — 

Yain  were  his  best  endeavor. 
His  goodness  in  its  utmost  length 
Reveals  his  utter  want  of  strength, — 

He  must  rely  on  mercy. 

On  God  alone,  and  on  His  grace, 

Can  I  securely  rest  me  ; 
He  sees  my  heart,  He  heals  distress, — 

To  Him,  then,  why  not  trust  me  ? 
He  owns  a  Father's  name,  and  knows 
The  full  amount  of  human  woes  ; 

On  Him  be  my  reliance  ! 


AUS  TIEFER  NOTH  SCHREI  ICH  ZU  DIR.     149 

Should  comfort  seem  afar  to  keep, 

I'll  not  sink  down  despairing  ; 
They  who  in  godly  sorrow  weep 

Shall  find  a  gracious  hearing : 
Thus  Christians  do,  and  they  are  blest 
In  God,  their  confidence  and  rest, 

Their  comfort  and  Redeemer. 

Many  and  great  the  sins  I  own, 
But  greater  God's  free  mercies : 

From  wrath  I  flee  to  His  dear  Son, 
Who  bore  for  me  its  curses : 

And  He  will  be  my  Shepherd,  too, 

With  all  my  troubles  guide  me  through, 
To  rest  with  Him  in  glory. 


FOURTH    VERSION. 
(Moravian  Hymn-Book,  No.  240,  abr.) 

Out  of  the  deep  I  cry  to  Thee, 
My  God,  with  heart's  contrition  ; 

Bow  down  Thine  ear  in  grace  to  me, 
And  hear  Thou  my  petition  : 


150  REPENTANCE. 


For  if  in  judgment  Thou  wilt  try 
Man's  sin  and  great  iniquity, 
Ah,  who  can  stand  before  Thee  ? 

To  gain  remission  of  our  sin 

No  work  of  ours  availeth ; 
God's  favor  we  may  strive  to  win, 

But  all  our  labor  faileth; 
We're  'midst  our  fairest  actions  lost, 
And  none  'fore  Him  of  aught  can  boast 

We  live  alone  through  mercy. 

Therefore  my  hope  is  in  His  grace, 

And  not  in  my  own  merit ; 
On  Him  my  confidence  I  place, 

Instructed  by  His  Spirit : 
His  precious  Word  hath  promised  me 
He  will  my  joy  and  comfort  be  ; 

Thereon  is  my  reliance. 

Though  sin  with  us  doth  much  abound, 
Yet  grace  still  more  aboundeth  ; 

Sufficient  help  in  Christ  is  found 
Where  sin  most  deeply  woundeth : 

He  the  good  Shepherd  is  indeed, 

Who  His  lost  sheep  doth  seek  and  lead 
With  tender  love  and  pity. 


fyt   ftnrb's    ^upper. 


Jesus  Christus,  unser  Heiland  der  von  tms. 

(R.  Massie,  "Spiritual  Songs,"  p.  75.) 

Christ,  who  freed  our  souls  from  danger, 
And  hath  turned  away  God's  anger, 
Suffered  pains  no  tongue  can  tell, 
To  redeem  us  from  pains  of  hell. 

That  we  never  might  forget  it, 
Take  m}-  flesh,  He  said,  and  eat  it, 
Hidden  in  this  piece  of  bread, 
Drink  my  blood  in  this  wine,  He  said. 


Whoso  to  this  board  repaireth, 
Take  good  heed  how  he  prepareth ; 
Death  instead  of  life  shall  he 
Find,  who  cometh  unworthily. 

(  151  ) 


152  THE  LORD'S  SUPPER. 

Praise  the  Father,  God  in  heaven, 
Who  such  dainty  food  hath  given, 
And  for  misdeeds  thou  hast  done 
Gave  to  die  His  beloved  Son. 

Trust  God's  Word  ;  it  is  intended 
For  the  sick  who  would  be  mended ; 
Those  whose  heavy-laden  breast 
Groans  with  sin,  and  is  seeking  rest. 

To  such  grace  and  mere}*-  turneth 
Every  soul  that  truly  mourneth ; 
Art  thou  well  ?     Avoid  this  board, 
Else  thou  reapest  an  ill  reward. 

Lo  !  He  saith  himself,  "  Ye  weary, 
Come  to  me  and  I  will  cheer  ye ;" 
Needless  were  the  leech's  skill 
To  the  souls  that  be  strong  and  well. 

Couldst  thou  earn  thine  own  salvation, 
Useless  were  1113'  death  and  passion ; 
Wilt  thou  thine  own  helper  be  ? 
No  meet  table  is  this  for  thee. 


GOTT  SEI  GELOBET  UND  GEBENEDEIET.  153 

If  thou  this  believest  truly, 

And  confession  makest  duly, 

Thou  a  welcome  guest  art  here, 

This  rich  banquet  thy  soul  shall  cheer. 

Sweet  henceforth  shall  be  thy  labor, 
Thou  shalt  truly  love  thy  neighbor, 
So  shall  he  both  taste  and  see 
What  thy  Saviour  hath  done  in  thee. 


Gott  sei  gelobet  und  gebenedeiet. 

(R.  Massie,  "Spiritual  Songs,"  p.  78.) 

Strophe. 
May  God  be  praised  henceforth  and  blest 

forever ! 
Who,  Himself  both  gift  and  giver, 
With  His  own  flesh  and  blood  our  souls 

doth  nourish; 
May  they  grow  thereb}T  and  flourish ! 
Kyrie  eleison. 


154  THE  LORD'S  SUPPER. 

Antistrophe. 
By  Thy  holy  body,  Lord,  the  same 
Which  from  Thine  own  mother  Mary  came ; 
By  the  drops  which  Thou  didst  bleed, 
Help  us  in  the  hour  of  need ! 

Kyrie  eleison. 

Strophe. 
Thou  hast  to  death  Thy  holy  body  given, 
Life  to  win  for  us  in  heaven  ; 
By  stronger  love,  dear  Lord,  Thou  couldst 

not  bind  us, 
Whereof  this  should  well  remind  us. 
Kyrie  eleison. 

Antistrophe. 
Lord,  Thy  love  constrained  Thee  for  our  good 
Mighty  things  to  do  by  Thy  dear  blood ; 
Thou  hast  paid  the  debt  we  owed, 
Thou  hast  made  our  peace  with  God. 
Kyrie  eleison. 

Strophe. 
May  God  bestow  on  us  His  grace  and  blessing, 
That,  His  holy  footsteps  tracing, 


QOTT  SEI  GELOBET  UND  GEBENEDEIET.  155 

We  walk  as  brethren  dear  in  love  and  union, 
Nor  repent  this  sweet  communion. 
Kyrie  eleison. 

Antistrophe. 
Let  not  us  the  Holy  Ghost  forsake  ; 
May  He  grant  that  we  the  right  way  take  ; 
That  poor  Christendom  may  see 
Days  of  peace  and  unity. 

Kyrie  eleison. 


eai^ 


Mitten  wir  im  Leben  sind. 

This  hymn  is  one  of  those  founded  on  a  more 
ancient  hymn  of  Notker,  a  learned  Benedictine  of 
St.  Gall,  who  died  in  912.  The  original  has  only 
one  verse,  and  runs  thus : 

"  Media  vita  in  morte  surnus. 
Quern  quaerimus  adjutorem 
Nisi  te,  domine? 
Qui  pro  peccatis  nostris 
Juste  irasceris. 
Sancte  deus,  sancte  fortis, 
Sancte  et  misericors  salvator  : 
Amarae  morti  ne  tradas  nos." 

Luther,  however,  enlarged  it,  in  the  form  as  it  is 
found  in  German  hymn-books.  Notker  is  said  to 
have  composed  it  while  watching  some  workmen 
who  were  building  the  bridge  of  Martinsbruck  at 
the  peril  of  their  lives.  It  was  soon  set  to  music, 
and  became  universally  known  ;  indeed,  it  was  used 
as  a  battle-song,  until  the  custom  was  forbidden  on 
account  of  its  being  supposed  to  exercise  magical 
(  156) 


MITTEN  WIR  IM  LEBEN  S1ND.  157 

influences.  In  a  German  version  it  formed  part  of 
the  service  for  the  burial  of  the  dead  as  early  as  the 
thirteenth  century,  and  is  still  preserved,  in  an  un- 
metrical  form,  in  the  burial  service  of  the  Episcopal 
Church. 

(Winkworth,  "Lyra  Germanica,"  I,  p.  235.) 

In  the  midst  of  life,  behold 
Death  has  girt  us  round ; 
Whom  for  help  then  shall  we  pray, 

Where  shall  grace  be  found  ? 
In  Thee,  0  Lord,  alone ! 
We  rue  the  evil  we  have  done, 
That  Thy  wrath  on  us  hath  drawn. 
Holy  Lord  and  God  ! 
Strong  and  holy  God ! 
Merciful  and  holy  Saviour ! 
Eternal  God ! 
Sink  us  not  beneath 
Bitter  pains  of  endless  death. 

Kyrie  eleison ! 

In  the  midst  of  death  the  jaws 

Of  hell  against  us  gape  ; 
Who  from  peril  dire  as  this 

Openeth  us  escape  ? 


158  DEATH. 


'Tis  Thou,  0  Lord,  alone ! 
Our  bitter  suffering  and  our  sin 
Pity  from  Thy  mercy  win. 

Holy  Lord  and  God  ! 

Strong  and  holy  God  ! 
Merciful  and  holy  Saviour ! 

Eternal  God ! 
Let  us  not  despair 
For  the  fire  that  burneth  there. 

Kyrie  eleison ! 

In  the  midst  of  hell  our  sins 

Drive  us  to  despair ; 
Whither  shall  we  flee  from  them  ? 

Where  is  refuge,  where  ? 
In  Thee,  Lord  Christ,  alone ! 
For  Thou  hast  shed  Thy  precious  blood, 
All  our  sins  Thou  makest  good. 
Holv  Lord  and  God ! 
Strong  and  holy  God  ! 
Merciful  and  holy  Saviour ! 
Eternal  God! 
Let  us  never  fall 

From  the  true  faith's  hope  for  all. 
K}Trie  eleison ! 


MIT  FRIED  UND  FREUD  FAHR  ICH  DAHIN   159 

Mit  Fried  und  Freud  fahr  ich  dahin. 

^C.  Winkworth,  "Christian  Singers  of  Germany,"  p.  114.) 

In  peace  and  joy  I  now  depart, 

According  to  God's  will ; 
For  full  of  comfort  is  my  heart, 

So  calm  and  still. 
So  doth  God  his  promise  keep. 
And  death  to  me  is  but  a  sleep. 

'Tis  Christ  has  wrought  this  work  for  me ; 

Thy  dear  and  only  Son, 
Whom  Thou  hast  suffered  me  to  see, 

And  made  Him  known 
As  our  Help  when  woes  are  rife, 
And  e'en  in  death  itself  our  Life. 

For  Thou  in  mercy  unto  all 

Hast  set  this  Saviour  forth, 
And  to  His  kingdom  Thou  dost  call 

The  whole  sad  earth, 
Through  Thy  blessed,  wholesome  Word, 
That  now  in  ever}'  place  is  heard. 


160 


DEATH. 


He  is  the  Hope,  the  saving  Light, 
That  heathen  nations  need  ; 

And  those  who  know  Thee  not  aright 
Will  teach  and  lead  ; 

While  His  Israel's  joy  He  is, 

His  people's  glory,  praise,  and  bliss. 


rats*. 


Jesaja,  dem  Propheten,  das  geschah. 

Isaiah  6  : 1-4. 
(R.  Massie,  "Spiritual  Songs,"  p.  85.) 

These  things  the  seer  Isaiah  did  befall : 
In  spirit  he  beheld  the  Lord  of  all 
On  a  high  throne,  raised  up  in  splendor  bright, 
His  garment's  border  filled  the  choir  with  light. 
Beside  Him  stood  two  seraphim,  which  had 
Six  wings,  wherewith  they  both  alike  were  clad : 
With  twain  they  hid  their  shining  face,  with  twain 
They  hid  their  feet  as  with  a  flowing  train, 
And  with  the  other  twain  they  both  did  fly. 
One  to  the  other  thus  aloud  did  ciy, — 
"  Holy  is  God,  the  Lord  of  Sabaoth ! 

Holy  is  God,  the  Lord  of  Sabaoth ! 

Holy  is  God,  the  Lord  of  Sabaoth ! 

His  glory  filleth  all  the  trembling  earth." 
With  the  loud  cry  the  posts  and  thresholds  shook, 
And  the  whole  house  was  filled  with  mist  and  smoke. 
11  (  161  ) 


k* 


tnm, 


Herr  Gott,  dich  loben  wir. 

This  hymn  Luther  translated  from  the  Latin  of 
St.  Ambrose.  Mr.  Saunders,  in  his  Evenings  with 
the  Sacred  Poets,  p.  33,  says,  "  that  according  to 
tradition,  this  grand  anthem  gushed  forth  in  sudden 
inspiration  from  the  lips  of  Ambrose  as  he  baptized 
Augustine ;  or  other  authorities,  who  reject  the 
legend,  believe  it  to  have  sprung  from  an  earlier 
Oriental  hymn.  If  so,  might  it  not  possibly  have 
formed  part  of  the  worship  of  the  primitive  Chris- 
tians, who,  in  the  time  of  Pliny,  i  met  before  dawn, 
to  sing  hymns  to  Christ  as  God  V  (Carmenque 
Christo,  quasi  Deo!  lib.  x.)  That  same  'Te  Deum' 
has  accompanied  many  a  martyr  to  the  stake  in 
Flanders,  Bavaria,  German}',  England,  and  else- 
where. It  was  the  English  Bishop  Fisher's  farewell 
as  he  stood  beside  the  block.  Once  it  was  lifted  up 
where  no  lesser  hymn  would  have  been  fitting, — 
when  Columbus  discovered  the  first  gray  outline  of 
(  162  ) 


HERR  GOTT,  DICH  LOBEN  WIR.  163 

the  New  World,  and  'the  crew  threw  themselves 
into  each  others'  arms,  weeping  for  joy!'  There  is 
an  old  custom  still  perpetuated  at  Magdalen  Col- 
lege, Oxford,  at  the  dawn  of  May  Day,  when  the 
4Te  Deum'  is  sung  in  the  original  Latin,  from  the 
tower  of  the  college." 

(Moravian  Hymn-Book,  No.  554.) 

Lord  God,  thy  praise  we  sing, 

To  Thee  our  thanks  we  bring; 

Both  heaven  and  earth  do  worship  Thee, 

Thou  Father  of  eternity : 

To  Thee  all  angels  loudly  cry, 

The  heavens  and  all  the  powers  on  high : 

Cherubs  and  seraphs  Thee  proclaim, 

And  cry  thrice  holy  to  Thy  name : 

Holy  is  our  Lord  God, 

Holy  is  our  Lord  God, 

Holy  is  our  Lord  God, 

The  Lord  of  Sabaoth ! 

With  splendor  of  Thy  glory  spread 
Are  heaven  and  earth  replenished ; 
The  apostles'  glorious  company, 
The  prophets'  fellowship  praise  Thee ; 


164  THE  TE  DEUM. 


The  noble  and  victorious  host 
Of  martyrs  make  of  Thee  their  boast : 
The  holy  Church  in  every  place 
Throughout  the  earth  exalts  Thy  praise. 
Thee,  Father,  God  on  heaven's  throne, 
Thy  only  and  beloved  Son, 
The  Holy  Ghost,  the  Comforter, 
The  Church  doth  worship  and  revere. 

O  Christ,  Thou  glorious  King,  we  own 

Thee  to  be  God's  eternal  Son : 

Thou,  undertaking  in  our  room, 

Didst  not  abhor  the  Yirgin's  womb : 

The  pains  of  death  o'ercome  by  Thee, 

Made  heaven  to  all  believers  free. 

At  God's  right  hand  Thou  hast  Thy  seat, 

And  in  Thy  Father's  glory  great : 

And  we  believe  the  da}T  's  decreed 

When  Thou  shalt  judge  the  quick  and  dead, 

Promote,  we  pray,  Thy  servants'  good, 
Redeemed  with  Thy  most  precious  blood ; 
Among  Thy  saints  make  us  ascend 
To  glory  that  shall  never  end ; 


HERR  GOTT,  DICH  LOBEN  WIR.  165 

Thy  people  with  salvation  crown, 
Bless  those,  0  Lord,  that  are  Thine  own ; 
Govern  Thy  Church,  and,  Lord,  advance 
Forever  Thine  inheritance. 

From  day  to  day,  0  Lord,  do  we 
Highly  exalt  and  honor  Thee ; 
Thy  name  we  worship  and  adore 
World  without  end  for  evermore : 
Vouchsafe,  0  Lord,  we  humbly  pray, 
To  keep  us  safe  from  sin  this  day. 
O  Lord,  have  mercy  on  us  all ; 
Have  mercy  on  us  when  we  call ; 
Thy  mercy,  Lord,  to  us  dispense, 
According  to  our  confidence  : 
Lord,  we  have  put  our  trust  in  Thee, 
Confounded  let  us  never  be. 

Amen. 


iscclhutcous 


Erhalt  uns  Herr,  bei  deinem  Wort. 

child's  song  against  the  TWO  ARCH-ENEMIES  OF  CHRIST 
AND  HIS  HOLY  CHURCH, — THE  POPE  AND  THE  TURK. 

(C.  Winkworth,  "  Choral  Book  for  England,"  No.  103.) 

Lord,  keep  us  steadfast  in  Thy  Word ; 
Curb  those  who  fain  by  craft  or  sword 
Would  wrest  the  kingdom  from  Thy  Son, 
And  set  at  naught  all  He  hath  done. 

Lord  Jesus  Christ,  Thy  power  make  known, 
For  Thou  art  Lord  of  lords  alone  ; 
Defend  Thy  Christendom,  that  we 
May  evermore  sing  praise  to  Thee. 

O  Comforter  of  priceless  worth, 
Send  peace  and  unity  on  earth ; 
Support  us  in  our  final  strife, 
And  lead  us  out  of  death  to  life. 
(  166  ) 


NUN  TEE  IB  EN  WIR  DEN  PABST  HERA  US.  167 


Nun  treiben  wir  den  Pabst  heraus, 

A    SONG    FOR   THE    CHILDREN,    WHEREWITH    THEY    CAST    OUT 
THE    POPE    IN    MID-LENT. 

(Christian  Examiner,  I860,  p.  244.) 

We  drive  the  Pope  with  iron  rod 

From  church  of  Christ  and  house  of  God, 

Where  he  has  murderously  ruled, 

Aud  man\r  precious  souls  befooled. 

Pack  off,  begone,  apostate  son  ! 
Thou  scarlet  bride  of  Babylon  ! 
Thou  art  the  Beast  and  Antichrist, 
Whose  lies  have  man}-  a  soul  enticed. 

Thy  bulls  and  thy  decretals  lie 
All  sealed  and  hid  from  eveiy  eye, 
That  robbed  the  world  in  God's  own  name, 
And  put  Christ's  blood  to  open  shame. 

The  Romish  Dagon  's  lost  his  head ; 
The  rightful  Pope  we  take  instead : 
'Tis  Christ,  the  Rock,  God's  only  Son, 
Whom  His  true  Church  is  built  upon. 


168  MISCELLANEOUS. 

High  Priest  o'er  all  is  He,  Lord  Christ, 
Who  on  the  cross  was  sacrificed ; 
His  blood  flowed  freely  for  our  sin, 
His  wounds  the  true  indulgence  win. 

The  Church  obeys  His  Word's  behest ; 
Him  God  the  Father  doth  invest ; 
The  Head  of  Christendom  is  He : 
Praised  be  His  name  eternally. 

Now  summer-time  will  soon  appear ; 
Christ  send  us  all  a  peaceful  year ! 
Lord,  save  us  from  the  Pope  and  Turk. 
And  finish  all  Thy  blessed  work ! 


Ein  neues  Lied  wir  heben  an. 

A  SONG   CONCERNING    TWO    CHRISTIAN    MARTYRS    BURNED  AT 
BRUSSELS,    IN    1523,    BY    THE    SOPHISTS    OF    LOUVAIN. 

(R.  Massie,  "Spiritual  Songs,"  p.  40.) 

By  help  of  God  I  fain  would  tell 

A  new  and  wondrous  story, 
And  sing  a  marvel  that  befell 

To  His  great  praise  and  glory. 


EIN  NEUES  LIED   WIR  HEBEN  AN.         169 

At  Brussels  in  the  Netherlands 

He  hath  His  banner  lifted, 
To  show  His  wonders  by  the  hands 

Of  two  youths,  highly  gifted 
With  rich  and  heavenly  graces. 

One  of  these  youths  was  called  John, 

And  Henry  was  the  other ; 
Rich  in  the  grace  of  God  was  one, 

A  Christian  true  his  brother. 
For  God's  dear  Word  they  shed  their  blood, 

And  from  the  world  departed 
Like  bold  and  pious  sons  of  God ; 

Faithful  and  lionhearted, 
The}'  won  the  crown  of  martyrs. 

The  old  Arch-fiend  did  them  immure. 

To  terrify  them  seeking ; 
They  bade  them  God's  dear  Word  abjure, 

And  fain  would  stop  their  speaking. 
From  Louvain  man}*  Sophists  came, 

Versed  deeply  in  the  schools, 
And  met  together  at  the  game ; 

The  Spirit  made  them  fools, — 
They  could  not  but  be  losers. 


1 70  MISCELLANEO  US. 

Now  sweet,  now  harsher  tones  they  tried, 

In  artifice  abounding ; 
The  youths  did  firm  as  rocks  abide, 

The  Sophists  all  confounding. 
The  enemy  waxed  fierce  in  hate, 

And  for  their  life-blood  thirsted ; 
He  fumed  and  chafed  that  one  so  great 

Should  by  two  babes  be  worsted, 
And  straightway  sought  to  burn  them. 

Their  monkish  garb  from  them  they  take, 

And  gown  of  ordination  ; 
The  youths  a  cheerful  Amen  spake, 

And  showed  no  hesitation. 
They  thanked  their  God  that  by  His  aid 

They  now  had  been  denuded 
Of  Satan's  mock  and  masquerade, 

Whereby  he  had  deluded 
The  world  with  false  pretences. 

Thus  by  the  power  of  grace  they  were 
True  priests  of  God's  own  making, 

Who  offered  up  themselves  e'en  there, 
Christ's  holy  orders  taking  ; 


BIN  NEUES  LIED   WLR  HEBES  AS.        171 

Dead  to  the  world,  they  cast  aside 

Hypocrisy's  sour  leaven, 
That  penitent  and  justified 

The}'  might  go  clean  to  heaven. 
And  leave  all  monkish  follies. 

They  then  were  told  that  they  must  read 

A  note  which  was  dictated ; 
They  straightway  wrote  their  faith  and  creed, 

And  not  one  jot  abated. 
Xow  mark  their  heresy  !     u  We  must 

In  God  be  firm  believers  ; 
In  mortal  men  not  put  our  trust, 

For  they  are  all  deceivers ;" 
For  this  they  must  be  burned ! 

Two  fires  were  lit ;  the  youths  were  brought, 

But  all  were  seized  with  wonder 
To  see  them  set  the  flames  at  naught, 

And  stood  as  struck  with  thunder. 
With  joy  they  came  in  sight  of  all, 

And  sang  aloud  God's  praises ; 
The  Sophists'  courage  waxed  small 

Before  such  wondrous  traces 
Of  God's  almighty  finger. 


172  MISCELLA  NEO  US. 

The  scandal  they  repent,  and  would 

Right  gladty  gloss  it  over ; 
They  dare  not  boast  their  deed  of  blood, 

But  seek  the  stain  to  cover. 
They  feel  the  shame  within  their  breast, 

And  charge  therewith  each  other ; 
But  now  the  Spirit  cannot  rest, 

For  Abel  'gainst  his  brother 
Doth  cry  aloud  for  vengeance. 

Their  ashes  never  cease  to  cry, 

The  fires  are  ever  flaming, 
Their  dust  throughout  the  world  doth  fly, 

Their  murderers'  shame  proclaiming. 
The  voices  which  with  cruel  hands 

They  put  to  silence  living, 
Are  heard,  though  dead,  throughout  all  lands 

Their  testimon}T  giving, 
And  loud  hosannahs  singing. 

From  lies  to  lies  they  still  proceed, 

And  feign  forthwith  a  story 
To  color  o'er  the  murderous  deed  ; 

Their  conscience  pricks  them  sorely. 


EIN  NEUES  LIED  WIR  HEBEN  AN.        173 

These  saints  of  God  e'en  after  death 

They  slandered,  and  asserted 
The  youths  had  with  their  latest  breath 

Confessed,  and  been  converted, 
Their  heresy  renouncing. 

Then  let  them  still  go  on  and  lie, 

They  cannot  win  a  blessing ; 
And  let  us  thank  God  heartily, 

His  Word  again  possessing. 
Summer  is  even  at  our  door, 

The  winter  now  hath  vanished, 
The  tender  flowerets  spring  once  more, 

And  He,  who  winter  banished, 
Will  send  a  happy  summer. 


INDEX  OF  FIRST  GERMAN  LINES. 


Ach  Gott  vom  Himmel  sieh  darein, 

Aus  tiefer  Noth  schrei  ich  zu  dir, . 

Christ  lag  in  Todesbanden,    . 

Christ  unser  Herr  zum  Jordan  ging, 

Christum  wir  sollen  loben  schon,  . 

Der  du  bist  drei  in  Einigkeit, 

Diess  sind  die  heiligen  zehn  Gebot, 

Ein  feste  Burg  ist  unser  Gott, 

Ein  neues  Lied  wir  heben  an, 

Erhalt  uns  Herr  bei  deinem  Wort, 

Es  spricht  der  Unweisen  Mund,     . 

Es  wolt  uns  Gott  genadig  sein, 

Gelobet  seist  du,  Jesu  Christ, 

Gott  der  Vater  wohn  uns  bei, 

Gott  sei  gelobet  und  gebenedeiet,  . 

Herr  Gott  dich  loben  wir, 

Jesaja,  dem  Propheten,  das  geschah, 

Jesus  Christus  unser  Heiland,  der  den  Tod, 

Jesus  Christus  unser  Heiland,  der  von  uns, 

Komm  Gott,  Schopfer,  Heiliger  Geist, 

Komm  heiliger  Geist,  Herre  Gott, 

Mensch  willt  du  leben  seliglich,     . 

Mit  Fried  und  Freud  fahr  ich  dahin, 

Mitten  wir  im  Leben  sind,     . 


PAGE 

111 

144 

60 

140 

41 

73 

127 

78 

169 

166 

107 

124 

42 

74 

153 

162 

161 

49 

151 

67 

56 

126 

159 

156 


(  175) 


176 


INDEX  OF  FIRST  GERMAN  LINES. 


Nun  bitten  wir  den  Heiligen  Geist, 
Nun  freut  euch,  lieben  Christen  gemein, 
Nun  komm  der  Heiden  heiland,    . 
Nun  treiben  wir  den  Pabst  heraus, 
Sie  ist  mir  lieb  die  werthe  Magd,  . 
Vater  unser  im  Himmelreich, 
Verleih  uns  Frieden  gnadiglich,    . 
Vom  Himmel  hoch  da  komm  ich  her, 
Yom  Himmel  kam  der  Engel  Schaar, 
Was  furcht'st  du  Feind  Herodes  sehr, 
War  Gott  nicht  mit  uns  diese  Zeit, 
Wir  glauben  all  an  einen  Gott, 
Wohl  dem  der  in  Gottesfurcht  steht, 


PAGE 

70 
116 

31 
167 

76 
133 
139 


47 
115 
131 
122 


IXDEX  OF  FIRST  EXGLISH  LINES. 


A  castle  is  our  God,  a  tower, 
A  fortress  firm  and  steadfast  rock, 
A  fortress  firm  is  God  our  Lord,    . 
A  mighty  fortress  is  our  God, 
A.  mountain  fastness  is  our  God,    . 
A  safe  stronghold  our  God  is  still, 
A.  stronghold  firm,  a  trusty  shield, 
A.  sure  stronghold  our  God  is  He, . 
A  tower  of  safety  is  our  God, 
A  tower  of  strength  our  God  doth  stand 
All  praise  to  Jesus'  hallowed  name, 
Blest  Comforter,  come,  Lord  our  God,  . 
Ity  help  of  God  I  fain  would  tell, 
Christ  who  freed  our  souls  from  danger, 
Come,  Holy  Ghost,  come,  Lord  our  God 
Come,  Holy  Ghost,  Lord  God,  fulfil, 
Come,  Holy  Ghost,  rule  thou  within, 
Come,  Holy  Spirit,  God  and  Lord, 
Come,  Holy  Spirite,  most  blessed  Lord 
Creator  Spirit,  holy  Dove, 
Dear  Christian  people,  now  rejoice, 
Dear  is  to  me  the  holy  Maid, 
From  deep  distress  to  Thee  I  pray, 
From  heaven  above  to  earth  I  come, 
God  is  our  refuge  in  distress, 
God  is  our  stronghold  firm  and  sure, 
12 


PAGE 

103 
94 
80 
96 
82 
84,  86 
91 

101 
89 
98 
42 
62 

169 

151 
61 
65 
66 
63 
59 
68 

116 
76 

148 
36 
79,  105 
.       99 


(  177  ) 


178 


INDEX  OF  FIRST  ENGLISH  LINES. 


Had  God  not  come,  may  Israel  say, 

Happy  the  man  who  feareth  God, 

In  peace  and  joy  I  now  depart, 

In  the  bonds  of  death  He  lay, 

In  the  midst  of  life,  behold,  . 

In  these  our  days  so  perilous, 

Jesus  Christ  to-day  is  risen,  . 

Look  down,  O  Lord,  from  heaven  behold, 

Lord  God,  thy  praise  we  sing, 

Lord,  keep  us  steadfast  in  Thy  Word, 

May  God  be  praised  henceforth,    . 

Now  crave  we  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 

Now  praise  we  Christ,  the  holy  one, 

O  thou  Redeemer  of  our  race, 

Our  Father,  thou  in  heaven  above, 

Our  God,  a  tower  of  strength  is  He, 

Our  God,  He  is  a  fortress  tower,    . 

Our  God,  our  Father,  with  us  stay. 

Out  of  the  deep  I  cry  to  Thee, 

Out  of  the  deeps  of  long  distress,  . 

Out  of  the  depth  I  cry  to  Thee,     . 

That  men  a  godly  life  might  live, 

The  mouth  of  fools  doth  God  confess, 

These  things  the  seer  Isaiah  did  befall, 

Thou  only  God,  the  Three  in  One, 

To  Jordan  came  our  Lord  the  Christ, 

To  shepherds  as  they  watched  by  night, 

To  us,  O  God,  impart  Thy  grace,  . 

We  all  believe  in  one  true  God, 

We  drive  the  Pope  with  iron  rod, 

Why,  Herod,  unrelenting  foe, 

Wilt  thou,  O  man,  live  happily,    . 


